Abstract
This project explores social media, mental health, and activism as three interconnected avenues of academic inquiry in the context of a student movement called the Anti-Discriminatory Students Movement (ADSM), that took place in July-August 2024 in Bangladesh. The movement, also called July Revolution (Bangladesh), overthrew a 16-year-ruling autocratic government and propelled the nation towards significant structural and political reform efforts. Utilizing a mixed method approach, including key informant interviews (N=6) and an online survey (N=396), it investigates how the triangle of social media, mental health, and activism evolved during this movement. Interview analysis reveals five major themes: 1) Ambiguity in traditional media news causes higher dependency on user-generated content on social media; 2) Social media helps create collective identity and sense; 3) Fear of missing out (FoMO) turns into anxiety; 4) Psychological toll of violence exposure and activism; and 5) Coping strategy varies among individuals, with social support being biggest factor. Multivariate regression analysis from survey data illustrates that linear combination of the variables sex, marital status, family income, and sexual harassment during protest, and mental torture by opposition entities during protest, increase of time spent in news consumption are significantly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The findings of the study would equip communication and media researchers to critically understand media engagement and its effect during political unrest. It would have implications for mental health professionals in enhancing intervention designs for people experiencing such crisis-induced conditions, as well.
Advisor
AKM Saiful Islam
Committee Member
Anne Kerber
Committee Member
Joseph Visker
Date of Degree
2025
Language
english
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
Master of Arts (MA)
Program of Study
Communication and Media
Department
Communication and Media
College
Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Citation
Hossain, M. B. (2025). The triangle of social media, mental health, and activism: Lessons from the July 2024 anti-discrimination student movement in Bangladesh. [Master’s thesis, Minnesota State University, Mankato]. Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato. https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/etds/1540/
Rights Statement
