Degree

BS (Social Sciences & Liberal Arts)

Faculty / School

School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS)

Department

Department of Social Sciences & Liberal Arts

Date of Award

Fall 2024

Date of Submission

2024-09-12

Advisor

Hajrah Rahman, Lecturer, Department of Social Sciences

Project Type

SSLA Culminating Experience

Access Type

Restricted Access

Keywords

Instagram, Mental Health Content, Pakistani Generation Z, Self-Diagnosis, Health Information

Abstract

This study investigates how the influence of mental health content on Instagram on the self-diagnosis practices of Pakistani Generation Z. Qualitative interviews were carried out with ten participants aged 18-24 who had self-diagnosed using mental health content on Instagram. The consequent findings depicted that participants consumed mental health content when emotionally vulnerable and preferred visually engaging, easily digestible formats such as reels, infographics, and memes. These content types also had the most influence in leading to a self-diagnosis. Instagram's algorithm was found to reinforce emotional states by creating a feedback loop of mental health content related to the participant’s subjective experiences. Additionally, participants displayed an understanding of the risks of oversimplified content and the potential for misinformation during their self-diagnosis journey. Nevertheless, self-diagnosis was seen as an informed first step in managing mental health when professional help is inaccessible. This research contributes to a nuanced understanding of how social media platforms like Instagram shape mental health behaviors among Pakistani Gen Z, emphasizing the need for balanced interventions that promote responsible content consumption.

Pages

71

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