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. 2021 Nov 19;39:107593. doi: 10.1016/j.dib.2021.107593

Data set concerning the use of social networking sites and mental health problems among the young generation in Bangladesh

Md Rabiul Islam a,, Md Ismail Tushar b, Sanjida Jannath a, Amena Ahmed Moona a, Shahinur Akter a, Sardar Mohammad Ashraful Islam a
PMCID: PMC8627992  PMID: 34877375

Abstract

The article depicts a unique dataset of responses from 791 adults to a self-made questionnaire of five sections sent via Google survey tool (Google form) from February 4, 2021, to March 18, 2021 [1]. We collected responses for establishing a paradigm of the relationship between the social networking sites (SNS) use and four dimensions of psychological distress including depression, anxiety, loneliness, and sleep disturbances. Facebook is the most popular social media in Bangladesh, we observed 669 Facebook users and 122 non-Facebook-users aged between 15 to 40 years in this data set. We analyzed the collected data using the Microsoft Excel (version 2016) and presented as frequencies and percentages based on responses to the whole survey. The survey contained items focusing on (i) sociodemographic information, (ii) usage patterns of SNS, (iii) assessment of mental health problems. We collected responses from all across the country regardless of sociodemographic background. Therefore, government authorities and healthcare providers can use this data for dealing with the mental health issues concerning the use of SNS.

Keywords: Social networking sites, Facebook, Mental health, Loneliness, Depression, Anxiety, Sleep disturbance

Specifications Table

Subject Social science
Specific subject area Social media, Psychology
Type of data Table and figure
How data were acquired Google survey tools (Google Forms)
Data format Raw and analysed
Parameters for data collection Respondents were chosen based on convenient sampling technique. We collected responses from participants aged between 15–40 years who were of Bangladeshi ethnicity and living in Bangladesh. Inclusion criteria were social media users who were willing to participate in this study irrespective of background or socio-demographic variables.
Description of data collection We conducted this concurrent cross-sectional study from February 4, 2021, to March 18, 2021 using Google survey tools (Google Forms). A self-reported questionnaire was sent to the participants through e-mail, Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, Instagram, etc. The structured questionnaire was designed to collect the general information about the participants. We applied different scales (UCLA-8, PHQ-9, GAD-7, and PSQI) for psychometric measurements. The survey questionnaire and all the answers to the questions in English have been provided as supplementary files 1 and 2.
Data source location Researchers from University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka, have collected data from across the Bangladesh.
Data accessibility Data is within this article
Related research article M.R. Islam, S. Jannath, A.A. Moona, S. Akter, M.J. Hossain, S.M.A. Islam. Association between the use of social networking sites and mental health of young generation in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study, J. Community Psychol. 49(7) (2021) 2276–2297.
https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22675

Value of the Data

  • This data set contains responses from people of a target age limit (15–40) who belong to the young generation. The data set shows the vulnerability of mental health of the young generation in Bangladesh due to the use of SNS.

  • The data can help researchers finding out the factors for poor mental health concerning the use of SNS among the young Bangladeshi population.

  • Government authorities and non-government organizations can use this data set as part of their policymaking and developing models to improve mental health related to the use of social media.

  • This evidence-based study can utilize in designing prevention programs for mental health issues like loneliness, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances by policymakers.

  • The data set can provide in-depth insights into the impacts of social media in our lives by causing mental health problems.

1. Data Description

Social media has transformed our way of communication and interaction with people. It explicitly holds a major contributing factor for killing time. Is it good or bad in our day-to-day life - is a big question for us. It is rational to conduct studies on its relation to our mental health condition. As an attempt, this cross-sectional study was planned, designed, and carried out. We constructed the survey questionnaire in separate sections to measure four mental illnesses by following internationally validated scales: the UCLA Loneliness Scale-8 (UCLA-8), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) [2], [3], [4], [5].

The survey data set provides insights about the usage pattern and triggering factors for mental health problems due to the use of SNS. It also provides perceptions of what people think about social media and SNS-induced depression, anxiety, loneliness, and sleep disorders. We obtained responses from authentic users of a specified age limit and different sociodemographic backgrounds in Bangladesh. The data set comprises (i) assessment of loneliness (UCLA-8) in Table 1, (ii) Assessment of depression (PHQ-9) in Table 2, (iii) Assessment of anxiety (GAD-7) in Table 3, (iv) Assessment of sleep disturbances (PSQI) in Table 4. It also presents a flowchart of the collection and exclusion procedure of data (viii) Fig. 1. Based on the present dataset, it is difficult to conclude whether the mental health of the young Bangladeshi population is affected by the use of SNS or the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic and its responses have enormously impacted individuals’ mental health, social life, physical health, etc., in Bangladesh [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14]. People were heavily involved with SNS than ever due to the ongoing COVID-19 responses. Therefore, frequent use of SNS during the COVID-19 period might create additional mental health problems.

Table 1.

Distribution of responses based on the UCLA Loneliness Scale-8 (UCLA-8).

How often the respondents feel the below statements descriptive of you in the past 30 days? Frequency (n) Percentage (%)
I lack companionship
 I never feel this way 213 26.93
 I rarely feel this way 220 27.81
 I sometimes feel this way 267 33.76
 I often feel this way 91 11.50
There is no one I can turn to
 I never feel this way 286 36.16
 I rarely feel this way 214 27.05
 I sometimes feel this way 217 27.43
 I often feel this way 74 9.36
I am an outgoing person
 I never feel this way 180 22.76
 I rarely feel this way 164 20.73
 I sometimes feel this way 269 34.01
 I often feel this way 178 22.50
I feel left out
 I never feel this way 264 33.38
 I rarely feel this way 189 23.89
 I sometimes feel this way 253 31.98
 I often feel this way 85 10.75
I feel isolated from others
 I never feel this way 259 32.74
 I rarely feel this way 176 22.25
 I sometimes feel this way 251 31.73
 I often feel this way 105 13.28
I can find companionship when I want it
 I never feel this way 138 17.45
 I rarely feel this way 176 22.25
 I sometimes feel this way 268 33.88
 I often feel this way 209 26.42
I am unhappy being so withdrawn
 I never feel this way 244 30.85
 I rarely feel this way 194 24.53
 I sometimes feel this way 265 33.50
 I often feel this way 88 11.12
People are around me but not with me
 I never feel this way 212 26.80
 I rarely feel this way 187 23.64
 I sometimes feel this way 271 34.26
 I often feel this way 121 15.30

Table 2.

Distribution of responses based on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).

How often the respondents bothered by any of the below problems since last 2 weeks? Frequency (n) Percentage (%)
Little interest or pleasure in doing things
 Not at all 208 26.30
 Several days 375 47.41
 More than half of the days 115 14.54
 Nearly everyday 93 11.75
Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
 Not at all 257 32.49
 Several days 334 42.23
 More than half of the days 86 10.87
 Nearly everyday 114 14.41
Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
 Not at all 286 36.16
 Several days 296 37.42
 More than half of the days 99 12.52
 Nearly everyday 110 13.90
Feeling tired or having little energy
 Not at all 207 26.17
 Several days 346 43.74
 More than half of the days 109 13.78
 Nearly everyday 129 16.31
Poor appetite or overeating
 Not at all 300 37.93
 Several days 297 37.55
 More than half of the days 107 13.53
 Nearly everyday 87 10.99
Feeling bad about yourself or that you are a failure or have let yourself down
 Not at all 359 45.39
 Several days 234 29.58
 More than half of the days 79 9.99
 Nearly everyday 119 15.04
Trouble concentrating on things
 Not at all 337 42.61
 Several days 231 29.20
 More than half of the days 83 10.49
 Nearly everyday 140 17.70
Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed? Or the opposite
 Not at all 392 49.56
 Several days 268 33.88
 More than half of the days 73 9.23
 Nearly everyday 58 7.33
Thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some way
 Not at all 472 59.67
 Several days 198 25.03
 More than half of the days 58 7.33
 Nearly everyday 63 7.97

Table 3.

Distribution of responses based on the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) Scale.

How often the respondents bothered by the following problems in last two weeks? Frequency (n) Percentage (%)
Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge
 Not at all 291 36.78
 Several days 328 41.47
 More than half of the days 82 10.37
 Nearly everyday 90 11.38
Not being able to stop or control worrying
 Not at all 270 34.13
 Several days 289 36.54
 More than half of the days 104 13.15
 Nearly everyday 128 16.18
Worrying too much about different things
 Not at all 245 30.97
 Several days 289 36.54
 More than half of the days 111 14.03
 Nearly everyday 146 18.46
Felt trouble in relaxing
 Not at all 295 37.29
 Several days 289 36.54
 More than half of the days 85 10.75
 Nearly everyday 122 15.42
Being so restless that it's hard to sit still
 Not at all 352 44.50
 Several days 258 32.62
 More than half of the days 97 12.26
 Nearly everyday 84 10.62
Becoming easily annoyed or irritable
 Not at all 266 33.63
 Several days 294 37.17
 More than half of the days 86 10.87
 Nearly everyday 145 18.33
Feeling afraid as if something awful might happen
 Not at all 331 41.85
 Several days 262 33.12
 More than half of the days 68 8.60
 Nearly everyday 130 16.43

Table 4.

Distribution of responses based on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).

Sleep quality measurement parameters during last month Frequency (n) Percentage (%)
When you have usually gone to bed at night?
 8.00 PM to 10.00 PM 47 5.94
 10.01 PM to 12.00 AM 405 51.20
 12.01 AM to 2.00 AM 232 29.33
 2.01 AM to 5.00 AM 107 13.53
How long (in minutes) has it usually takes you to fall asleep each night?
 Within 15 min 322 40.71
 16–30 min 281 35.52
 31–60 min 95 12.01
More than 60 min 93 11.76
When have you usually gotten up in the morning?
 Within 5.00 AM 61 7.71
 5.01 AM to 7.00 AM 286 36.16
 7.01 AM to 9.00 AM 245 30.97
 After 9.00 AM 199 25.16
How many hours of actual sleep did you get at night?
 Less than 4 h 64 8.09
 4 to 6 h 440 55.63
 7 to 8 h 254 32.11
 More than 8 h 33 4.17
How many hours you spend in bed?
 Less than 5 h 13 1.64
 5 to 7 h 389 49.18
 8 to 10 h 340 42.99
 More than 10 h 49 6.19
Trouble sleeping because you cannot get to sleep within 30 min
 Not during last month 386 48.80
 Less than once a week 177 22.38
 Once or twice a week 102 12.89
 Three or more in week 126 15.93
You wake up in the middle of night or early in the morning
 Not during last month 294 37.17
 Less than once a week 226 28.57
 Once or twice a week 142 17.95
 Three or more in week 129 16.31
You have to get up to use the bathroom
 Not during last month 304 38.43
 Less than once a week 208 26.30
 Once or twice a week 153 19.34
 Three or more in week 126 15.93
Trouble in sleep because you cannot breathe comfortably
 Not during last month 466 58.91
 Less than once a week 177 22.38
 Once or twice a week 92 11.63
 Three or more in week 56 7.08
Trouble in sleep because of cough or snore loudly
 Not during last month 427 53.98
 Less than once a week 195 24.65
 Once or twice a week 79 9.99
 Three or more in week 90 11.38
Trouble in sleep because of feeling too cold
 Not during last month 362 45.76
 Less than once a week 208 26.30
 Once or twice a week 139 17.57
 Three or more in week 82 10.37
Trouble in sleep because of feeling too hot
 Not during last month 414 52.33
 Less than once a week 180 22.76
 Once or twice a week 113 14.29
 Three or more in week 84 10.62
You had bad dreams
 Not during last month 338 42.73
 Less than once a week 254 32.11
 Once or twice a week 138 17.45
 Three or more in week 61 7.71
You have pain during sleep
 Not during last month 492 62.20
 Less than once a week 157 19.85
 Once or twice a week 93 11.76
 Three or more in week 49 6.19
Trouble in sleep because of other reasons
 Not during last month 352 44.50
 Less than once a week 203 25.67
 Once or twice a week 144 18.20
 Three or more in week 92 11.63
How often have you taken medicines to help you sleep?
 Not during last month 584 73.83
 Less than once a week 99 12.52
 Once or twice a week 59 7.46
 Three or more in week 49 6.19
How often have you had trouble staying awake while driving, eating meals, etc.?
 Not during last month 384 48.55
 Less than once a week 221 27.94
 Once or twice a week 116 14.66
 Three or more in week 70 8.85
How many times you face problems to maintain program or other important case?
 Not during last month 383 48.42
 Less than once a week 217 27.43
 Once or twice a week 127 16.06
 Three or more in week 64 8.09
How would you rate your sleep quality overall?
 Very good 218 27.56
 Fairly good 376 47.53
 Fairly bad 111 14.04
 Very bad 86 10.87

Fig. 1.

Fig 1

Flowchart of collecting responses from the participants.

2. Experimental Design, Materials and Methods

It was not feasible to carry on a face-to-face population-based study due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we designed a self-administered questionnaire using google survey tools (Google Forms) and sent it to the participants through various means like Facebook messenger, email, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc. Inclusion criteria were: any Bangladeshi within 15–40 years who has a social media account or SNS user. Initially, we received 826 responses from February 4, 2021, to March 18, 2021. After careful evaluation of dada, we discarded 35 responses due to the partial or incomplete information. We involved people from different education levels, economic statuses, and occupations in this study. Also, we kept the required option for each question in the Google Form. The survey questionnaire contained five sections. The first section was regarding the socio-demographic profiles and the usage pattern of social media in the respondents. Seven questions regarding socio-demographic profile followed by names of social media use, time spent, number of friends and groups, what they think of social media affecting their mental health, etc. questions were involved.

The second section had eight questions about “how often the respondents feel the below statements descriptive of you in the past 30 days?” to figure out loneliness. Each question had four options: I never feel this way, I rarely feel this way, I sometimes feel this way, I often feel this way. The third section had nine questions about “how often the respondents bothered by any of the below problems since last two weeks?” with four options: not at all, several days, more than half of the days, nearly every day to figure out depression among the participants. The fourth section had seven questions about “how often the respondents were bothered by the following problems in the last two weeks?” with the options - not at all, several days, more than half of the days, and nearly every day to measure anxiety among them. The final section was to measure sleep disturbances. This section contained nineteen structured questions about their overall sleep quality during the last month. Finally, these nineteen questions were grouped into seven components to calculate the sleep equally score on a four-point scale [15], [16], [17], [18]. After the collection of data, we analyzed them using Microsoft Excel (version 2016). We calculated the frequency and percentage of collected data and presented it in table format. However, the collected information using electronic platforms may not always be representative of the population.

Ethics Statement

Committee for Advanced Studies at the Department of Pharmacy, University of Asia Pacific approved this study protocol (No. UAP/Pharm/2021/01004). We obtained electronic informed consent from all participants for this study. Also, we took informed consent from legal guardians in the case of minors who participated in the study.

CRediT authorship contribution statement

Md. Rabiul Islam: Visualization, Data curation, Writing – original draft, Supervision. Md. Ismail Tushar: Data curation, Formal analysis, Writing – original draft. Sanjida Jannath: Data curation, Formal analysis, Writing – original draft. Amena Ahmed Moona: Visualization, Data curation, Writing – original draft, Supervision, Formal analysis. Shahinur Akter: Data curation, Formal analysis, Writing – original draft. Sardar Mohammad Ashraful Islam: Visualization, Data curation, Writing – original draft, Supervision.

Declaration of Competing Interest

The authors do not have any conflict of interest to declare.

Acknowledgments

All the authors are thankful to the participants for their cooperation in this study.

Footnotes

Supplementary material associated with this article can be found in the online version at doi:10.1016/j.dib.2021.107593.

Contributor Information

Md. Rabiul Islam, Email: robi.ayaan@gmail.com.

Sardar Mohammad Ashraful Islam, Email: ashraf@uap-bd.edu.

Appendix. Supplementary materials

mmc1.docx (31.5KB, docx)
mmc2.xlsx (286.5KB, xlsx)

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Associated Data

This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.

Supplementary Materials

mmc1.docx (31.5KB, docx)
mmc2.xlsx (286.5KB, xlsx)

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