Problematic social media use and depressive symptoms among U.S. young adults: A nationally-representative study

Abstract

Rationale Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide. The suggested association between social media use (SMU) and depression may be explained by the emerging maladaptive use pattern known as problematic social media use (PSMU), characterized by addictive components. Objective We aimed to assess the association between PSMU and depressive symptoms—controlling for overall time and frequency of SMU—among a large sample of U.S. young adults. Methods In October 2014, participants aged 19–32 (N = 1749) were randomly selected from a nationally-representative U.S. probability-based panel and subsequently invited to participate in an online survey. We assessed depressive symptoms using the validated Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) brief depression scale. We measured PSMU using an adapted version of the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale to encompass broader SMU. Using logistic regression models, we tested the association between PSMU and depressive symptoms, controlling for time and frequency of SMU as well as a comprehensive set of socio-demographic covariates. Results In the multivariable model, PSMU was significantly associated with a 9% increase in odds of depressive symptoms (AOR [adjusted odds ratio] = 1.09; 95% CI [confidence interval]: 1.05, 1.13; p < .001.) Increased frequency of SMU was also significantly associated with increased depressive symptoms, whereas SMU time was not (AOR = 1.01; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.01; p = .001 and AOR = 1.00; 95% CI: 0.999–1.001; p = .43, respectively). Conclusion PSMU was strongly and independently associated with increased depressive symptoms in this nationally-representative sample of young adults. PSMU largely explained the association between SMU and depressive symptom, suggesting that it may be how we use social media, not how much, that poses a risk. Intervention efforts aimed at reducing depressive symptoms, such as screenings for maladaptive SMU, may be most successful if they address addictive components and frequency—rather than time—of SMU.

Problematic Online Behaviors among Adolescents and Emerging Adults: Associations between Cyberbullying Perpetration, Problematic Social Media Use, and Psychosocial Factors

“…The strongest direct predictor of PSMU was depression and it was more strongly related to PSMU among high school students. This result is in line with the study of Shensa et al (2017) which indicated that PSMU is strongly associated with increased depressive symptoms. Adolescence is a psychologically more fragile period for individuals in which depression is more commonly seen among students (Riglin et al 2016) and is more positively associated with antisocial behaviors (Choi et al 2016).…”

Is envy harmful to a society's psychological health and wellbeing? A longitudinal study of 18,000 adults

“…Studies such as Appel, Gerlach, & Crusius (2015), Tandoc, Ferrucci & Duffy (2015), Verduyn et al (2015), Taylor & Strutton (2016), Christakis & Shakya (2017), and Shensa et al (2017) document recent evidence on connections between social-media use, envy, and lower mental well-being. A second literature, on related concerns about advertising and psychological well-being, is beginning to emerge (Opree, Buijzen, & van Reijmersdal, 2016).…”

Exploring User Needs for a Mobile Behavioral-Sensing Technology for Depression Management: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

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