Impact of Social Media Usage on the Mental Health of Academic Librarians at Bayero University, Kano
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Social media (SM) has become essential for academic librarians. It facilitates professional networking, information sharing, and career development. However, excessive engagement may lead to stress, anxiety, and work-life imbalance. This study examines the patterns, benefits, and challenges of SM use among academic librarians at Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
Method: A quantitative research design was employed, using a structured questionnaire distributed to 41 academic librarians across BUK. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics in SPSS to determine SM usage patterns, perceived benefits, challenges, and emotional impact.
Results: Findings revealed that WhatsApp (78.0%) and Facebook (53.7%) were the most commonly used SM platforms for professional development. A majority of respondents (75.6%) engaged SM daily, primarily for information sharing (87.8%) and networking (78.0%). While 73.2% reported a positive impact on work-life balance, some librarians experienced stress due to social comparison (31.7%) and institutional support gaps (41.5%). Additionally, 68.3% expressed interest in training on managing the emotional effects of SM use.
Conclusion: Although SM offers substantial professional benefits, its prolonged use can contribute to emotional strain. The study recommends institutional policies on digital well-being, structured training sessions, and enhanced organizational support for optimal SA engagements. These measures can help academic librarians leverage SM effectively while minimizing psychological effects.
Downloads
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
CC-BY-NC
How to Cite
References
Abubakar, M. K. (2019). Social media application in library and information services. Journal of Science, Technology, Mathematics and Education, 15(1), 185–191.
Adenekan, F. N. (2024). Effect of Techno Stress among Academic Librarians in Nigeria Universities. Samaru Journal of Information Studies, 24(1), 126-133. Retrieved from AJOL
Adetayo, A. J. (2022). Research output and visibility of librarians: Are social media influencers or distractors? Journal of Librarianship and Information Science. https://doi.org/10.1177/09610006221106177
Akeriwa, M., Penzhorn, C., & Holmner, M. (2015). Using mobile technologies for social media based library services at the University of Development Studies Library, Ghana. Information Development, 31(3), 284–293
Bakare, O. A., Yacob, H., & Umar, M. Y. (2018). Use of Social Media Platforms to Promote Library Services and Profitable Librarianship. International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 9(7), 327-333. Retrieved from IJSER.
Bányai F, Zsila Á, Király O, Maraz A, Elekes Z, Griffiths MD, Urbán R, Farkas J, Rigó P Jr, & Demetrovics Z. (2017). Problematic social media use: Results from a large-scale nationally representative adolescent sample. PLoS ONE, 12(1):e0169839. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0169839.
Bartosik-Purgat M, Filimon N, & Kiygi-Calli M. (2017). Social media and higher education: An international perspective. Econ Sociol. 10:181–191. [Google Scholar]
Berryman C, Ferguson C, & Negy C. (2018). Social media use and mental health among young adults. Psychiatry Q. 89:307–314. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Bharucha, J. (2018). Exploring education-related use of social media: Business students perspectives in a changing India. Education and Training, 60(2), 198–212. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-07-2017-0105.
Bichi A. I. (2021). Social Media Literacy of Librarians of Government-Owned Universities in Kano State, Nigeria. – Middlebelt Journal of Library and Information Science (MBJLIS) Vol. 19, 2021. ISSN: 1596 – 1595. https://www.mbjlisonline.org/
Chiparausha, B., Onyancha, O.B. & Ezema, I.J. (2024), "Factors influencing the use of social media by academic librarians in Zimbabwe: a UTAUT model analysis", Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, Vol. 73 No. 1/2, pp. 142-160. https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-09-2021-0151.
Clark, M. N., & Bacon, S. D. (2018). Utilising social media to improve relationship quality: The case of the university library. International Journal of Information Management, 43, 192–198.
Coyne SM, Rogers AA, Zurcher JD, Stockdale L, & Booth M. (2020). Does time spent using social media impact mental health? An eight year longitudinal study. Comput Hum Behav.104:106160. [Google Scholar]
Dewing, M. (2012), Social Media: An Introduction, Library of Parliament, Ottawa.
Escobar-Viera C, Whitfield D, Wessel C, et al. (2018). For better or for worse? A systematic review of the evidence on social media use and depression among lesbian, gay, and bisexual minorities. https://mental.jmir.org/2018/3/e10496/ JMIR Ment Health. 2018;5:10496. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Gmiterek, G. (2021), “Polish university libraries social networking services during the COVID-19 pandemic spring term lockdown”, The Journal of Academic Librarianship, Vol. 47 No. 3, p. 102331.
Harriger J. A., Thompson, J. K, Tiggemann, M. TikTok, TikTok (2023). The time is now: Future directions in social media and body image. Body Image. 44:222–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.12.005.
Harrison, A., Burress, R., Velasquez, S., & Schreiner, L. (2017). Social media use in academic libraries: A review of the literature. Library Philosophy and Practice.
Hussain, I., & Sani, N. A. (2022). The impact of social media use on mental health among adolescents. Social Science Review Archives, 3(1), 804–808. https://doi.org/10.70670/sra.v3i1.364
Magoi, J.S., Aspura, M.Y.I. & Abrizah, A. (2019), “Social media engagement in developing countries: boon or bane for academic libraries?”, Information Development, Vol. 35 No. 3, pp. 374-387.
Makeri, S. G., Isa, A. S., Gumsu, F. A. & Buba, I. (2024). Librarians’ Perception On The Use Of Social Media As A Tool For Information Service Provision In Kashim Ibrahim Library, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. FUGUS International Journal of Library and Information Science, 1(1), 137-150. https://doi.org/10.57233/fijlis.v1i1.14
Martinsen, E. W. (2008). Physical activity in the prevention and treatment of anxiety and depression. Nord J Psychiatry. 62:25–29. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Miesner, J. (2020). Libraries as mental health hubs. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from APA Monitor.
Mogale, M. G., & Bopape, S. (2023). Trends and Issues Relating to Social Media Utilisation in Academic Libraries: Experiences From The University of Limpopo Subject Librarians. SA Journal of Information Management, 25(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajim.v25i1.1580
Nesi, J., & Prinstein, M. J. (2015). Using Social Media for Social Comparison and Feedback-Seeking: Gender and Popularity Moderate Associations with Depressive Symptoms. Journal of abnormal child psychology, 43(8), 1427–1438. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-015-0020-0
Oche, N.A. (2022), “Social media as a driver of innovative service delivery in academic libraries”, in Ekoja, I.I., Ogbomo, E.F. and Okuonghae, O. (Eds) Handbook of Research on Emerging Trends and Technologies in Librarianship, IGI Global, Hershey, PA, pp. 192-200.
Primack, B. A., Shensa, A., Escobar-Viera, C. G., Barrett, E. L., Sidani, J. E., Colditz, J. B., & James, A. E. (2017). Use of multiple social media platforms and symptoms of depression and anxiety: a nationally-representative study among US young adults. Computers in Human Behavior, 69, 1-9
Rideout, V., & Fox, S. (2018). Digital health practices, social media use, and mental well-being among teens and young adults in the U.S. Retrieved from San Francisco, CA: https://www.hopelab.org/ reports/pdf/a-national-survey-by-hopelab-and-well-being-trust- 2018.pdf.Accessed15 January, 2024.
Sahabi, M. K., & Ogunbote, K. O. (2021). Social media use in academic library: Implication for service delivery by librarians in Kaduna State University, Kaduna. AlHikmah Journal of Arts & Social Sciences Education, 3(2), 75–86.
Schønning, V., Hjetland, G. J., Aarø, L. E., & Skogen, J. C. (2020). Social media use and mental health and well-being among adolescents – A scoping review. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1949. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01949
Shah, G.J. & Khan, K.M. (2019), “Use of social media tools by the academic libraries in Northern India: a study”, International Journal of Information Dissemination and Technology, Vol. 9 No. 1, pp. 29-35.
Shahzad, K., Khan, S. A. & Iqbal, A. (2024). Mental health issues of university librarians: a systematic literature review. January 2024, Global Knowledge Memory and Communication. DOI:10.1108/GKMC-07-2023-0261.
Singh, S. & Tripathi, K. M. (2024). The Impact of Social Media on Social Comparison and Subjective Well-Being. The International Journal of Indian Psychology. ISSN 2348-5396 (Online) | ISSN: 2349-3429 (Print) Volume 12, Issue 1, January- March, 2024 DIP: 18.01.108.20241201, DOI: 10.25215/1201.108 https://www.ijip.in
Statista (2022). Social media - Statistics & Facts. https://www.statista.com/topics/1164/social-networks/#topicHeader__wrapper
Statista. (2022). Time spent on social media [Chart]. Accessed June 14, 2023, from https://www.statista.com/chart/18983/time-spent-on-social-media/.
Statista. (2023). WhatsApp: monthly usage in selected markets Q3 2023. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/291540/mobile-internet-user-whatsapp/
Sultan, Z., Rahman, N. I., Ismail, S., Seman, T., et al. (2013). Stress among preclinical medical students of University. J Appl Pharm Sci. 3:76-81. https://www.japsonline.com/admin/php/uploads/1110_pdf.pdf [Google Scholar
WHO, (2022), World Health Organization. Mental Health. 17 June
Williams, M.L. (2020), “The adoption of web 2.0 technologies in academic libraries: a comparative exploration”, Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, Vol. 52 No. 1, pp. 137-149.