Alexithymia and its relation with Social Media among nursing students

Abstract

Back ground: Nursing students need to be aware of the optimal use of the social media because they spend a lot of time conducting scientific research that complements the academic curriculum, but when a nursing student becomes unable to control the use of the platform’s, this leads to internet addiction and this will affect their physical, psychological and social health . Aim: This study aimed to explore the relation between alexithymia and social media among nursing students. . Design: Correlational research design was used in the current study. Sample: quota sample Consists of 352 Nursing was chosen from the four-grades students of Faculty of Nursing, Benha University. Tools: Three tools were used (1 st tool): Structured Interview Questionnaire sheet. (2 nd tool): Toronto Alexithymia Scale . (3 rd tool): Social Media Scale Student Form . Results: nearly half (48.6%) of the studied students have moderate level of social media addiction and more than half (51.1%) of the studied students have possible alexithymia level. Conclusion: there was a highly statistically positive correlation between total level of social media addiction and total level of alexithymia. Recommendations: The hazards and determinants of social media addiction should be added to the educational curricula and the methods that must be followed to avoid its adverse effects on physical, psychological, and social well.