EXPLORING MENTAL HEALTH CONTENT IN TIKTOK ON UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA
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UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SARAWAK
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This study explores mental health content in TikTok on university students in Malaysia using a phenomenologically based qualitative research design. In this research, six undergraduate students from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through surveys, semi-structured interviews, and journal reflections, and analysed thematically. Findings revealed a variety of engagement patterns, including following content creators, liking, saving, and revisiting videos. Relatable content, self-help and knowledge seeking were among the reasons given by respondents for engaging with TikTok's mental health content. Although respondents discovered that the mental health content helped them feel understood, gain awareness and knowledge, and make positive life adjustments, concerns were raised about misinformation, self-comparisons, and self-diagnosis. This research is underpinned by the Uses and Gratification Theory (UGT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to explain students’ motivations behind engagement with mental health content and psychological responses. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of digital mental health content among university students and highlight the dual roles that TikTok can play as a supportive and potentially harmful space for mental health discussions.