Application of socio-ecological model in the USE OF social Media
Theoretical Framework
Urie Bronfenbrenner established social-ecological theory as a model of understanding human development in 1970. The theory is composed of principles that aid in understanding the dynamic interrelations among environmental and personal factors (Virapongse et al., 2016). Le Roy et al. (2018) argued that a social-ecological model is a common approach that is used in research on the health behavior of individuals. However, the model is challenging because it has to be tailored to fit the analysis of different human actions.
The model is used to explain the interactive nature of people and their surroundings, which leads to various health outcomes (Pardeck, 2018). The health promotion sector has been criticized severally for focusing on the change of lifestyle and ignoring the forces that influence the health status of the human being (Partelow, 2018). Partelow (2018) further suggested that the theory encourages individuals to be entrenched within large social systems and provided the collaborative nature of human beings and the surrounding, which underlie the outcome of health status.
The social-ecological model is composed of five stages, which include individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and public policy. However, the variables to be tested will be extracted from personal, interpersonal and community levels. The variables to be tested at Individual level will include the level of education, one’s mood next day and hours slept. On its part, the interpersonal level will entail marital status while the type of media used will tested under the community level. However, Partelow (2018), in his research, revealed that the social-ecological model can also be utilized in other fields. The selected variables were selected on a limited basis to describe the model, meaning the levels may have additional tool fluctuating tools. Generalizing these variables is viewed as a broad scope with various studies utilizing the variables to classify the social ecology system (Partelow, 2018).
As evident, the social-ecological approach can contribute to various levels of issuesncerning an individual’s health behaviors. When ecological models of health behavior are applied to social media usage, they can attain behavior changes among young female adults (Pardeck, 2018). The social-ecological approach alludes that people’s behavior in society is shaped through personal contexts. This approach suggests that people’s existence is based on a hierarchy of social, cultural as well as environmental relations (Pardeck, 2018). It establishes that the people’s attitudes, as well as behavior, take precedence on a complex interplay between factors on every level.
Arguably, the socio-ecological approach offers a structural expression based on its hierarchical levels. Young female adults are likely to undergo a sustained behavior change by incorporating the approach due to the social media usage that acts as the reinforcement at any given level (Le Roy et al., 2018).. As evident, social media is used for social marketing as an alternative way of carrying out the old thing. The digital tools, platforms, as well as actions, ought to promote and satisfy an individual’s ability to connect and engage in communications (Le Roy et al., 2018). The young female adults are adopting the use of social media effectively to attain an active and maximum conversation within the meaningful messages while converting the audience to an energetic and authentic broadcaster (Le Roy et al., 2018).
Social ecological theory can aid in resolving issues related to time spent on social media, hours slept per week and stress among the young people. The three issues occurs as a result of victim’s interaction with the environment (Partelow, 2018). Time spend on social media can be resolved at personal level of social economic theory. The affected person can opt to change the behavior by putting in place rules which will limit the screen time (Virapongse et al., 2016). Some of the rules may include setting a specific limited time for social media, turning of notifications and having screen free Saturdays.
A considerable number of person struggle a lot when it comes to managing the time for sleeping. Virapongse et al. (2016) suggested that some spent much time on social media till late night, yet they are supposed to be in office or class before 8am. The issue can be handled at a personal level of social ecological theory, where the victim can train themselves to sleep once they are tired. Again, it can be helpful if a person can switches off all electronic device which might capture their attention, including television, computer, tablets and phones (Virapongse et al., 2016). In addition to having a strict routine, the victims can cool their bedroom during the night and avoid late hour’s caffeine.
Reduction of stress can be resolved both at organizational and individual level of social ecological theory. The young person struggling with stress and depression can seek solution from physiology professions, such that they will be provided with guidelines of curbing the issue (Virapongse et al., 2016). Again, they may opt to interact with friends and family members in a bid to be advised on measures they should take at a personal level (Pardeck, 2018). When it comes at organizational level, the victim can seek advice from their phycology tutors, who may opt to advice the victim as person, or organize a workshop aimed at addressing the entire group.
References
Le Roy, M., Sawtschuk, J., Bioret, F., &Gallet, S. (2018). Toward a social-ecological approach to ecological restoration: a look back at three decades of maritime clifftop restoration. Restoration Ecology, 27(1), 228-238. doi: 10.1111/rec.12849
Pardeck, J. (2018). Social treatment through an ecological approach. Clinical Social Work Journal, 16(1), 92-104. doi: 10.1007/bf00753411
Partelow, S. (2018). A review of the social-ecological systems framework: applications, methods, modifications, and challenges. Ecology and Society, 23(4). doi: 10.5751/es-10594-230436
Virapongse, A., Brooks, S., Metcalf, E. C., Zedalis, M., Gosz, J., Kliskey, A., & Alessa, L. (2016). A social-ecological systems approach for environmental management. Journal of Environmental Management, 178, 83-91.