Author Guidelines

Submission Requirements

Authors are required to submit the following documents:

  1. Cover Letter
  2. Title Page
  3. Manuscript (Anonymized Main Document)
  4. Turnitin Similarity Report (Maximum 20%)

Title 

The title should consist of a maximum of 15 words without including the year of research. Use Times New Roman font, size 14, and capitalize the first letter of each word in the title, except for conjunctions such as "and," "or," and "of."

Example Title:
"The Effectiveness of Health Promotion in Improving Public Awareness on Hygiene and Sanitation"

Authors’ Names

The authors' names should be written in Times New Roman font, size 10, with each name followed by a superscript number (^1, ^2, ^3) referring to their respective institutional affiliations. The names should be written in the order of contribution.

Example Authors’ Names:
John Doe^1, Jane Smith^2, Mark Lee^3

Affiliations

Each institution is assigned a superscript number corresponding to the number next to the author's name. Affiliations should include the institution's name, city, province, and country, written in Times New Roman font, size 10.

Example Affiliations:
^1 Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Muhammadiyah Palu, Sulawesi Tengah, Indonesia
^2 Faculty of Public Health, Tadulako University, Sulawesi Tengah, Indonesia
^3 Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Corresponding Author

The corresponding author is marked with an asterisk () after their name. The format for the corresponding author is Name^1, (using the superscript number that matches their affiliation). The email address of the corresponding author is listed separately at the bottom of the document.

Example Corresponding Author:
John Doe^1,
Corresponding Author: E-mail: john.doe@example.com

Complete Example

Title:
"The Effectiveness of Health Promotion in Improving Public Awareness on Hygiene and Sanitation"

Authors:
John Doe^1,*, Jane Smith^2, Mark Lee^3

Affiliations:
^1 Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Muhammadiyah Palu, Sulawesi Tengah, Indonesia
^2 Faculty of Public Health, Tadulako University, Sulawesi Tengah, Indonesia
^3 Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Corresponding Author:
John Doe^1,
Corresponding Author: E-mail: john.doe@example.com

Abstract

  • Introduction: Present the topic and context of the study, providing background information, discussing relevant literature, identifying knowledge gaps, and outlining research objectives.
  • Objective: Clearly articulate the specific goals and aims of the research.
  • Method: Describe the research design, participant selection criteria, data collection methods, and analysis techniques.
  • Result: Present findings in a clear, systematic manner using tables, figures, or graphs as needed.
  • Conclusion: Summarize key findings, discuss their implications, highlight study limitations, and suggest future research directions.

Keywords: Keywords1; Keywords2; Keywords3; Keywords4

INTRODUCTION

The introduction section should clearly introduce the research theme, explain the public health or pharmacy issue under investigation, and provide a summary of the literature review. For example, if the study focuses on adolescent mental health, the background can begin as follows: "Adolescent mental health is a significant public health challenge. Data indicate that the prevalence of depression among adolescents has risen steadily, reaching 20% by 2023 (1)." Next, summarize previous studies and relevant theories to highlight the importance of your research: "Previous research has identified a relationship between social media use and depressive symptoms, but few studies have explored how local cultural factors influence this relationship (2)." After identifying the knowledge gap, outline the rationale and significance of the study, such as: "This study aims to understand the impact of social media on adolescent mental health in Indonesia, considering cultural factors rarely discussed in global literature." Finally, state the research objectives clearly: "This research aims to explore the relationship between social media use and adolescent mental health in Indonesia and propose contextually relevant interventions."

METHOD

This study employs a clear and systematic approach to ensure the reliability and validity of the findings. Below are the components of the methodology:

 Research Type

The method section should clearly explain the research approach used, whether quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, or a literature review:

  • Quantitative study: "This study used a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional survey design. A stratified random sampling recruited 300 adolescents aged 15–19 years in Palu City. Data were collected via an online survey in March 2024 using the validated General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) and analyzed with logistic regression to examine the relationship between social media usage and depression risk."

  • Qualitative study: "This study adopted a qualitative phenomenological design to explore adolescents' experiences with social media and mental health. Purposive sampling involved 20 adolescents from diverse cultural backgrounds in Palu City. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with a semi-structured guide and analyzed thematically."

  • Mixed-methods study: "A mixed-methods explanatory sequential design was employed. Quantitative data from a survey of 300 adolescents were analyzed using logistic regression, followed by qualitative in-depth interviews with 20 participants to explore findings further. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically."

  • Literature review: "This systematic literature review followed PRISMA guidelines. Articles were sourced from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar using the keywords 'social media,' 'adolescents,' and 'mental health.' After screening titles, abstracts, and full texts, 50 articles met the inclusion criteria, as outlined in a PRISMA flowchart."

 

Population and Sample/Informants

The study population included adolescents aged 15–19 years residing in Palu City, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. A stratified random sampling method was used to recruit 300 participants for the quantitative survey. For qualitative research, one could specify: "Twenty adolescents were selected as informants using purposive sampling to ensure diversity in cultural and socio-economic backgrounds." In mixed-method studies: "The survey involved 300 respondents, followed by in-depth interviews with 20 informants who were purposefully selected based on their survey responses."

Research Location

The study was conducted in Palu City, a culturally diverse area with a mix of urban and semi-urban populations, which provided a unique context for understanding the relationship between social media use and mental health. 

Instrumentation or Tools

The quantitative component of the study used a validated questionnaire, the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), to assess depressive symptoms among respondents. For qualitative research, one might describe: "A semi-structured interview guide was developed to explore the participants' experiences, focusing on their interactions with social media and its perceived impact on their mental health." In mixed-method studies, it could be stated: "The quantitative data were collected using the GHQ-12, and qualitative data were obtained through semi-structured interviews recorded and transcribed verbatim."

Data Collection Procedures

Quantitative data were collected through an online survey platform over a one-month period in March 2024. Respondents were provided a consent form and instructions for completing the questionnaire. For qualitative research, the process could be: "In-depth interviews were conducted face-to-face at participants' homes or schools, lasting approximately 30–60 minutes each." In mixed-method studies, one might write: "Quantitative data collection was completed first, followed by qualitative interviews, which were scheduled based on participants' survey responses."

Data Analysis

Quantitative data were analyzed using logistic regression to examine the relationship between social media usage duration and depression. Descriptive statistics were also employed to summarize the participants' demographic characteristics. For qualitative research, the analysis could be described as: "Data were analyzed thematically using NVivo software, identifying patterns and themes related to the psychosocial effects of social media." In mixed-method studies, it might state: "Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis to contextualize and expand upon the survey findings."

Ethical Approval

This study was approved by the Health Research Ethics Committee of X University (Approval Number: 123/KEPK/2024). All participants, including parents or guardians for participants under 18, provided informed consent prior to participating in the study. The confidentiality of all participants was strictly maintained throughout the research process.

RESULTS

The results section should present the key findings of the study.

For quantitative research, you might write:

"The results showed that spending more than three hours per day on social media was significantly associated with an increased risk of depression (OR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.8–3.5). Respondents with positive social interactions were significantly less likely to experience depressive symptoms." Use tables and graphs to illustrate the findings.

For qualitative research, you might write:

"Thematic analysis identified three main themes from the interviews: (1) social pressure experienced due to beauty standards on social media, (2) the role of social media in self-representation, and (3) emotional support obtained through online communities." Direct quotes from participants can strengthen the findings, such as: "‘Seeing my friends always looking happy on Instagram makes me feel less confident,’ shared one participant."

For a literature review, you might write:

"The 50 articles reviewed consistently highlighted a positive correlation between social media use and anxiety or depression among adolescents. These findings were consistent across various geographic contexts, though moderating factors such as family support and the type of platform used varied."

DISCUSSION

The discussion section interprets the findings of this study within the context of existing research, explores their practical implications, evaluates the strengths and limitations, and provides recommendations for future research.

Interpretation of Key Findings

Our findings revealed that spending more than three hours per day on social media was significantly associated with increased depressive symptoms (Odds Ratio = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.8–3.5). This suggests that excessive exposure to curated online content and limited face-to-face social interactions may negatively impact adolescents’ mental health. These results align with those of Smith et al. (2023), who also identified a strong association between prolonged social media usage and depression among European adolescents (1). However, our study extends the existing evidence by incorporating the role of cultural factors specific to the Indonesian context, where social norms and familial expectations play a pivotal role in shaping adolescents' experiences with social media (2). This underscores the importance of designing culturally sensitive interventions.=

Comparison with Previous Studies

The findings of this study are consistent with those of Brown et al. (2021), who found that adolescents using social media for more than two hours daily reported higher rates of depressive symptoms compared to those with limited usage (3). However, our findings contrast with Johnson and Lee (2020), who reported no significant relationship between social media duration and mental health outcomes in a sample of U.S. adolescents (4). The discrepancies might be attributed to methodological differences, such as variations in how depressive symptoms were measured or differing cultural contexts influencing social media usage patterns (5,6). These differences highlight the complexity of this issue and the need for further research to reconcile conflicting evidence.

Limitations and Cautions

While this study provides meaningful contributions to understanding social media's impact on adolescent mental health, several limitations should be acknowledged. First, the cross-sectional design limits our ability to establish causality, which aligns with the limitations identified by earlier studies, such as those by Green et al. (2022) (7). Second, the reliance on self-reported data may have introduced bias, such as over- or under-reporting of social media usage, as noted in prior research (8). Finally, the study's geographic focus on Palu City, Indonesia, may limit the generalizability of findings to other settings with different cultural and technological landscapes (9). Future studies should employ longitudinal designs and larger, more diverse samples to address these limitations and provide deeper insights.

Recommendations for Future Research

Future studies should focus on addressing the identified limitations. For instance, longitudinal designs could help establish causality between social media use and mental health outcomes, as recommended by Wilson et al. (2021) (10). Additionally, investigating the specific features of social media platforms, such as algorithm-driven content exposure or peer validation mechanisms, may reveal deeper insights into the pathways through which social media impacts mental health. Expanding research to include diverse cultural and demographic contexts would also contribute to the development of more globally applicable interventions.

CONCLUSION

This study investigated [insert research focus] and aimed to [restate research objectives]. The findings demonstrated that [summarize the main results], highlighting [specific trends or unique insights]. Notably, [mention any novel contributions or context-specific findings]. These results underscore [practical or theoretical implications], suggesting [recommend interventions, strategies, or broader relevance].

While this study provides valuable insights into [specific topic], certain limitations should be noted, such as [list key limitations briefly]. Future research should focus on [identify future directions or opportunities to build upon this study], potentially enhancing our understanding of [topic] and informing [policy, practice, or theoretical frameworks]..

AUTHOR’S CONTRIBUTION STATEMENT

Authors explicitly outline and describe their individual contributions to the research and the development of the manuscript. This statement is intended to provide transparency and clarity regarding each author's role in the project. It helps readers and reviewers understand the specific contributions of each author to the research process

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Confirms that the authors have declared any potential conflicts that could influence the impartiality of the research. The authors explicitly state that they have no financial or personal relationships with entities that might unduly affect their objectivity. This declaration ensures the integrity of the study by transparently addressing any possible influences on the research outcomes, contributing to the credibility and trustworthiness of the article.

SOURCE OF FUNDING STATEMENTS

Declare the sources of financial support for this research. Acknowledge that the study received backing from [grant/contract number] provided by [funding agency]. Clearly state that the funding agency had no involvement in the design, execution, analysis, interpretation, or manuscript preparation. This unambiguous disclosure reinforces the independence and credibility of the research, ensuring transparency about the financial backing behind the study.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Brief expression of gratitude to individuals, organizations, or institutions that have played a supportive role in the research or publication process but do not meet the criteria for authorship. Includes thanks for financial support, technical guidance, data collection assistance, access to facilities or equipment, mentorship, and other forms of help.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

The bibliography is written using the Vancouver style format. It is recommended to use reference management software (Mendeley). The minimum number of references is 25, with 80% consisting of journal articles.

    1. Smith J, Doe A. The impact of social media on adolescent mental health. J Adolesc Health. 2020;67(3):345-50. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.05.002. Available from: https://www.jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X(20)30234-5/fulltext

    2. Brown L, Green K. Cultural influences on depression among adolescents. 2nd ed. New York: Academic Press; 2019.

    3. World Health Organization. Adolescent mental health. 2021. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health

    4. Dinas Kesehatan Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan. Profil Kesehatan Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan Tahun 2021. Makassar: Dinas Kesehatan Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan; 2022. Available from: https://dinkes.sulselprov.go.id

    5. Williams R, Patel V. Mental health challenges in developing countries. Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(11):875-7. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30308-2. Available from: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(18)30308-2/fulltext

    6. Nguyen T, Lee H. Internet addiction and its impact on mental health in adolescents. Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw. 2017;20(10):610-5. doi:10.1089/cyber.2017.0235. Available from: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/cyber.2017.0235

    7. Kim S, Park J. The role of sleep in adolescent mental health. Sleep Med Rev. 2019;45:18-25. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2019.02.002. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1087079218301550

    8. Garcia M, Lopez R. Family dynamics and adolescent depression: A study in urban Indonesia. Asian J Psychiatr. 2021;56:102547. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102547. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187620182030547X

    9. O'Connor P, Fitzgerald M. Bullying and its impact on adolescent mental health. Br J Educ Psychol. 2018;88(3):425-37. doi:10.1111/bjep.12192. Available from: https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjep.12192

    10. Li X, Zhang Y. The effects of academic stress on mental health among adolescents. Educ Psychol Rev. 2019;31(4):1057-76. doi:10.1007/s10648-019-09485-0. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10648-019-09485-0

    11. Chowdhury S, Islam N. Substance abuse and its impact on adolescent mental health. Addict Behav. 2020;105:106335. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106335. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030646031930530X

    12. Miller D, Johnson P. The influence of peer relationships on adolescent mental health. J Youth Adolesc. 2017;46(2):340-56. doi:10.1007/s10964-016-0478-4. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10964-016-0478-4

    13. Dinas Kesehatan Kota Palu. Profil Kesehatan Kota Palu Tahun 2021. Palu: Dinas Kesehatan Kota Palu; 2022. Available from: https://dinkes.palukota.go.id

    14. World Bank. Youth Development and Opportunities in Indonesia. Washington, DC: World Bank Group; 2021. Available from: https://documents.worldbank.org

    15. Patel V, Saxena S. Transforming mental health in low-income settings. Lancet Glob Health. 2019;7(1):e36-7. doi:10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30467-6. Available from: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(18)30467-6/fulltext

    16. United Nations. The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021. New York: United Nations; 2021. Available from: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2021

    17. Hasan A, Sutrisno H. Social media and mental health in Indonesia: A cultural perspective. Indones J Public Health. 2022;15(2):100-8.

    18. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-5. 5th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.

    19. Statistik Kesehatan Remaja Indonesia Tahun 2021. Jakarta: Badan Pusat Statistik; 2022. Available from: https://bps.go.id

    20. Ministry of Health Indonesia. Rencana Strategis Kementerian Kesehatan 2020-2024. Jakarta: Ministry of Health Indonesia; 2020. Available from: https://kesmas.kemkes.go.id

    21. WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia. Mental Health Action Plan 2020–2030. New Delhi: WHO-SEARO; 2020. Available from: https://www.who.int/southeastasia

    22. Adolescent Mental Health and Well-being in South Asia. Kathmandu: UNICEF; 2021. Available from: https://www.unicef.org

    23. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Youth risk behavior survey: Data summary and trends report. Atlanta: CDC; 2020. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov

    24. Greenberg MT, Weissberg RP. Promoting resilience in adolescents. J Appl Dev Psychol. 2020;40:1-12. doi:10.1016/j.appdev.2020.03.005. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com

    25. Harrington R, Kroll L. Depression in adolescents. Lancet. 2018;372(9649):1049-57. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)61028-2. Available from: https://www.thelancet.com