Social Networking Among Health Sciences University Students: Examining Social Network Usage, Social Support, and General Well-Being

Abstract

Social network sites (SNSs) are organized around users who join an internet network to engage in daily discussions and postings. Though research informs us about SNSs usage, no published research addresses the use of social network sites among health science professionals. This study examined the relationship between social network usage, social support, and general well-being among undergraduate and graduate students. This study provides results that identify significant relationships (p < .001) associated with SNS usage and the variables of social support and general well-being among this study population. These results can inform the use of SNSs in university health sciences educational programs.

Keywords:

• Use of social network sites
• social support
• general well-being
• health sciences university students

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded through a faculty grant process from the College of Health Sciences Grant at the University of Wyoming. The authors appreciate the financial support provided for this exploratory study.