Associations Between Social Media Usage, Physical Activity and Flourishing in Rural University Students.

Introduction: Most adolescents and young adults report significant use of social media.1-3 However, there is limited research on the effect of social media use, specifically on physical activity and flourishing. Purpose: This pilot research study examines the correlation between social media usage and the physical activity and flourishing levels of college students at a rural university in Appalachia. Methods: The authors conducted a survey including the validated Secure Flourishing Index and Stanford Leisure-Time Activity Categorical Item, containing questions on social media use and demographics. Spearman's rho was used for nonparametric correlations. Pearson's correlation was used to determine the correlation of flourishing with physical activity levels. Results: Time spent on Threads per login was positively associated with higher physical activity (pppp <0.001). Implications: Social media use, both frequency and time spent on the platforms, can impact how college students attending a rural university flourish and participate in physical activity. Continued research in this area should investigate the content on social media for its impact on different domains of flourishing including physical and mental health.