Social media usage and alexithymia in nursing students

Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2020 Apr;56(2):401-408. doi: 10.1111/ppc.12448. Epub 2019 Nov 3.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the relationship between social media usage characteristics and alexithymia in nursing students.

Design and methods: The study was conducted with 272 nursing students between November and December 2018 in Turkey. Data were collected using an information form to determine the sociodemographic and social media usage characteristics of the students, and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale.

Findings: According to the results of this study, nursing students use Instagram the most. As time spent on social media increases, the alexithymia score increases and students have difficulty recognizing their feelings.

Practice implications: As the use of social media by nursing students affects their mental process and behavior patterns, the results of social media applications, which witness a wide range of feelings, thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors, should be included in the nursing curriculum.

Keywords: alexithymia; computer communication; nursing; social media.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Affective Symptoms / psychology*
  • Emotions*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Social Media*
  • Students, Nursing / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Turkey
  • Young Adult