Relationship between the use of cell phone’s social networks and mental health among staff members of Golestan University of Medical Sciences

 Studies have shown that excessive use of social networks may cause mental disorders. This study was conducted to elucidate the relationship between the use of cell phone’s social networks and mental health.

 A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022, in which totally 250 staff members of Golestan University of Medical Sciences participated. Proportional random stratified sampling method was used. The data collection tool was a checklist of demographic variables. Additionally, valid and reliable questionnaires on the use of mobile cell phone’s social networks and mental health were exploited. The data was analyzed with the help of descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS software (v.24) and statistical tests were considered significant at P<0.05. Compliance with ethical considerations was considered in all stages of the study implementation.

 The average age of employees was 41.07±6.8 years and their average work experience was 15.04±6.93 years. About 56.8% of participants were women and the rest were men. WhatsApp was the most commonly used social network by study participants (44.8 percent). The average score of using mobile social network and mental health was 21.81±5.74 and 35.17±6.20 respectively. The use of social networks revealed a statistically significant association with the total score of mental health (P < 0.001).

 The amount of social networks use was reported at a low level and the mental health of employees needs serious interventions. Considering the existence of a relationship between the engagement in social networks and mental health, the controlled use of social networks can prevent employees' mental health from being compromised.