Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Set Up Your Document Before you start writing your paper, you should set up your document according to APA guidelines. This includes using 1-inch margins on all sides, a 12-point font such as Times New Roman, and double-spacing throughout the document. You should also include a running head, which is a shortened version of your paper's title, and a page number on the upper right-hand corner of each page.

Example: Running head: EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON MENTAL HEALTH Effects of Social Media on Mental Health Page 1

Step 2: Create a Title Page The title page is the first page of your paper and should include the full title of your paper, your name, the name of your institution, and the date of submission. All elements on the title page should be centered, and the title should be in title case (the first letter of each major word capitalized).

Example: Effects of Social Media on Mental Health Jane Smith University of California, Los Angeles March 1, 2023

Step 3: Write an Abstract The abstract is a brief summary of your paper, typically around 150-250 words, that provides an overview of your research question, methods, and results. It should be on a separate page, and the word "Abstract" should be centered and in bold at the top of the page.

Example: Abstract This study examines the effects of social media on mental health in young adults. Participants completed a survey measuring their social media use and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Results indicated a significant positive relationship between social media use and anxiety and depression symptoms. Implications for mental health interventions are discussed.

Step 4: Write the Main Body of Your Paper The main body of your paper should include an introduction, literature review, methods, results, and discussion. Each section should be clearly labeled with headings, and each paragraph should be indented.

Example: Introduction Social media has become an integral part of modern-day life, with millions of users worldwide. While social media has many benefits, including the ability to connect with others, it may also have negative consequences for mental health. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of social media on mental health in young adults.

Literature Review Research has shown that social media use is associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression (Jones & Fox, 2019; Lin et al., 2020). One possible explanation for this relationship is the constant comparison and competition that occurs on social media platforms (Fardouly et al., 2021).

Methods Participants were recruited through social media and completed an online survey measuring their social media use and symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Results Results indicated a significant positive relationship between social media use and anxiety and depression symptoms (r = .35, p < .05).

Discussion These findings suggest that social media use may have negative consequences for mental health in young adults. Mental health interventions should focus on reducing social media use and promoting healthy coping strategies.

Step 5: Create a References Page The references page should be the last page of your paper and should include a list of all sources cited in your paper. Sources should be listed alphabetically by the last name of the first author, and each entry should include the author's name, the year of publication, the title of the article or book, and the name ofthe publisher or journal. The reference list should be double-spaced with a hanging indent.

Example: References Fardouly, J., Diedrichs, P. C., Vartanian, L. R., & Halliwell, E. (2021). Social comparisons on social media: The impact of posts depicting idealized versus average bodies on young adults' body image concerns. Body Image, 36, 179-190.

Jones, S. P., & Fox, C. L. (2019). A systematic review of the influence of social media use on depression, anxiety and psychological distress in young people. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 1-18.

Lin, L. Y., Sidani, J. E., Shensa, A., Radovic, A., Miller, E., Colditz, J. B., & Primack, B. A. (2020). Association between social media use and depression among U.S. young adults. Depression and Anxiety, 37(4), 296-306.

In conclusion, writing an APA style paper may seem daunting at first, but following these steps can help you create a professional and well-organized paper. Remember to always check your sources and double-check your formatting to ensure your paper meets APA guidelines. With practice, writing in APA style can become second nature and enhance the credibility and impact of your academic writing.