Neuropsychological Sequelae of Problematic Social Media Use:Cognitive Fatigue, Behavioural Dysregulation, and Self-Esteem Erosion among Students of Government Graduate College for Women, Mohanpura, Rawalpindi
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Abstract
Background: Problematic social media use has emerged as a significant public health concern, with mounting evidence linking excessive digital engagement to neuropsychological impairment in young adults. Cognitive fatigue, behavioural dysregulation, and self-esteem erosion represent core sequelae of chronic cyber-addiction, yet remain underexplored in Pakistani female college populations. This study aimed to map these neuropsychological consequences among students of Government Graduate College for Women, Mohanpura, Rawalpindi.
Methodology: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from January to September 2025 among 80 female students aged 17–25 years, recruited by non-probability convenience sampling. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered, incorporating the Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS), Social Media Cognitive Fatigue Scale (CFS), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Data were analysed using SPSS v25 with descriptive statistics and chi-square tests.
Results: Most participants were urban (59%), bachelor’s-level students from nuclear families (61%). Statistically significant associations were identified between social media addiction and type of family (p<0.05), poor sleep quality (p=0.030), perceived negative health effects (p=0.001), concentration difficulties (p=0.005), anxiety symptoms (p=0.030), and low self-esteem (p=0.029).
Conclusion: Problematic social media use is significantly associated with cognitive fatigue, behavioural dysregulation, impaired sleep, heightened anxiety, and self-esteem erosion among female college students, consistent with a neuropsychological sequelae framework. Digital literacy programmes, accessible counselling services, and structured screen-time management are recommended. Longitudinal research with diverse cohorts is needed to establish causality.
Keywords: Neuropsychological sequelae; problematic social media use; cognitive fatigue; behavioural dysregulation; self-esteem erosion; cyber-addiction; DASS-21; female students; digital well-being; Pakistan
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