Mental Health Research, Technology / 12.09.2024

social-media-mental-health.jpg When it comes to social media usage, you don’t need to complete a masters in mental health nursing to understand that the media we consume via socials can have a dramatic impact on our state of mind.  Of course, these impacts are not always negative. Inspirational, aspirational, and almost always aesthetically pleasing - engaging with social media content can help us experience a certain ‘joie de vivre’, it can fuel our drive and ambition to succeed, and in some ways, also enhance our sense of community, connectedness, and belonging.  On the flip side, however, it can also be argued that social media imposes immense societal pressure - particularly on the young and impressionable - as well as the tendency to compare ourselves to others. This can cause vulnerable content consumers to see themselves in a negative light - which can lead to emotional distress, and in some cases, even develop into serious mental health conditions such as eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. (more…)
Author Interviews, Technology, Vaccine Studies / 15.11.2019

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Sandra Crouse Quinn, PhD Professor and Chair, Department of Family Science Senior Associate Director, Maryland Center for Health Equity School of Public Health University of Maryland College Park, MDSandra Crouse Quinn, PhD Professor and Chair, Department of Family Science Senior Associate Director, Maryland Center for Health Equity School of Public Health University of Maryland College Park, MD  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Millions of Americans use Facebook (FB) for a variety of purposes, including seeking health information. However, it is difficult for FB users to discern what is credible and scientifically sound information on the platform.  Facebook ads also focus on health issues including vaccination, which is labelled by FB as an issue of national importance.  We were the first team to conduct a research study examining the FB Ad Archive and analyzed ads that contained vaccine content. (more…)