Summary: A study of Millennials links specific social media behaviors to major depressive disorder (MDD). Those who met criteria for MDD reported greater social media addiction, more frequent upward social comparisons, increased distress about unflattering tags, fewer followers, and were less likely to post photos featuring themselves with other people.
Source: Wiley
Certain social media behaviors are associated with major depressive disorder in a millennial sample, according to research published in the Journal of Applied Biobehavioural Research.
This study surveyed 504 Millennials who actively use platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat to examine how specific online habits relate to clinical depression. Instead of focusing solely on total time spent online, the researchers investigated particular behaviors and attitudes tied to social media use. The analysis highlights a cluster of behaviors that were more common among participants who met diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD).
Key findings from the study included the following significant associations. Individuals who scored higher on the Social Media Addiction scale were more likely to meet criteria for MDD (p = 0.031). Participants who reported frequent upward social comparisons — comparing themselves to others whom they perceived as better off — were also more likely to have MDD (p = 0.005). Those who said they would be particularly bothered by being tagged in unflattering pictures showed a higher likelihood of MDD (p = 0.011). Social interaction patterns on platforms mattered: people with MDD were less prone to post photographs showing themselves alongside other people (p = 0.015) and reported following fewer accounts, with a notable pattern that participants following 300 or more Twitter accounts were less likely to have MDD (p = 0.041).
These results suggest that it is not only how much social media someone uses, but how they use it and how they feel about those interactions that relate to depressive symptoms. Behaviors that involve negative social comparisons, distress over social feedback, and certain patterns of social engagement appear linked to higher rates of MDD in this sample of young adults.
Co-author Dr. Krista Howard of Texas State University emphasized the nuanced nature of social media’s impact: “While this study highlights social media behaviors that are associated with major depression, it is important to recognize that social media use can offer many positive benefits, including fostering social support. The key is for individuals to develop an awareness of how they currently use social media and to determine what changes could be made in their social media use to reduce behaviors associated with psychological distress.”
Practical steps suggested by the research and its authors include reducing overall time spent on social media when it fuels negative feelings, unfollowing accounts or groups that trigger stress or harmful comparisons, and deliberately limiting online social comparison. Clinicians may also consider asking patients about specific social media habits when assessing depression and developing treatment plans.
Source: Penny Smith — Wiley
Publisher: Organized by NeuroscienceNews.com
Image source: NeuroscienceNews.com (public domain)
Original research: “Social comparisons, social media addiction, and social interaction: An examination of specific social media behaviors related to major depressive disorder in a millennial population” by Anthony Robinson, Aaron Bonnette, Krista Howard, Natalie Ceballos, Stephanie Dailey, Yongmei Lu, and Tom Grimes. Journal of Applied Biobehavioural Research. Published January 8, 2019.
DOI: 10.1111/jabr.12158
Abstract (summary)
The study aimed to identify particular social media behaviors associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) rather than simply measuring frequency of use. A sample of 504 Millennials active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat completed an online survey assessing depressive symptoms and targeted social media behaviors. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified five key social media factors associated with MDD. Individuals who reported more frequent upward social comparisons, greater concern about being tagged in unflattering photos, and a lower tendency to post pictures with other people were more likely to meet the criteria for MDD. Higher scores on a Social Media Addiction scale were also linked to a greater likelihood of MDD, while following a large number of Twitter accounts (300 or more) was associated with a lower likelihood of meeting MDD criteria. The authors conclude that participating in negative social media behaviors correlates with a higher probability of having MDD and discuss implications for research and clinical practice.