Apa outline Sample

I. Introduction

• A. Background on social media use
• B. Research question: How does social media impact mental health?
• C. Thesis statement: Social media affects mental health by influencing self-esteem, anxiety levels, and overall well-being.

II. Literature Review

• A. Overview of recent studies on social media usage
• B. Findings on self-esteem and social comparison
  • 1. Positive and negative effects on self-image
    2. Role of influencers and peer comparison
• C. Research on social media and anxiety
  • 1. Link between social media use and anxiety disorders
    2. Impact of online interactions on stress levels

III. Methodology

• A. Research design: Survey and interviews
• B. Participants: Age range, demographics, and selection criteria
• C. Data collection: Online survey and in-depth interviews
• D. Data analysis: Statistical analysis and thematic coding

IV. Results

• A. Key findings on self-esteem
  • 1. Correlation between high social media use and low self-esteem
    2. Differences based on age and gender
• B. Anxiety and stress results
  • 1. Increased anxiety levels with heavy social media use
    2. Effects of specific platforms (e.g., Instagram vs. Twitter)
• C. Overall mental well-being trends

V. Discussion

• A. Interpretation of findings: How social media influences mental health
• B. Limitations of the study
  • 1. Sample size and diversity
    2. Self-reported data and potential biases
• C. Suggestions for future research
  • 1. Longitudinal studies on social media use
    2. Exploring interventions to reduce negative impacts

VI. Conclusion

• A. Summary of main findings
• B. Implications for mental health professionals
• C. Final thoughts on social media and mental health