Volume 33, Issue 4
Research Article

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SOCIAL MEDIA USE AND DEPRESSION AMONG U.S. YOUNG ADULTS

Liu yi Lin B.A.

Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Center for Research on Media, Technology, and Health, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Jaime E. Sidani Ph.D.

Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Center for Research on Media, Technology, and Health, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Ariel Shensa M.A.

Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Center for Research on Media, Technology, and Health, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Ana Radovic M.D., M.Sc.

Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA

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Elizabeth Miller M.D., Ph.D.

Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA

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Jason B. Colditz M.Ed.

Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Center for Research on Media, Technology, and Health, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Beth L. Hoffman B.Sc.

Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Center for Research on Media, Technology, and Health, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Leila M. Giles B.S.

Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Center for Research on Media, Technology, and Health, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Brian A. Primack M.D., Ph.D.

Corresponding Author

Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Center for Research on Media, Technology, and Health, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Correspondence to: Brian A. Primack, 230 McKee Place Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.

E‐mail: bprimack@pitt.edu

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First published: 19 January 2016
Citations: 227

Contract grant sponsor: National Institute of Mental Health; Contract grant number: R25‐MH054318; Contract grant sponsor: National Cancer Institute; Contract grant number: R01‐CA140150.

Abstract

Background

Social media (SM) use is increasing among U.S. young adults, and its association with mental well‐being remains unclear. This study assessed the association between SM use and depression in a nationally representative sample of young adults.

Methods

We surveyed 1,787 adults ages 19 to 32 about SM use and depression. Participants were recruited via random digit dialing and address‐based sampling. SM use was assessed by self‐reported total time per day spent on SM, visits per week, and a global frequency score based on the Pew Internet Research Questionnaire. Depression was assessed using the Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Depression Scale Short Form. Chi‐squared tests and ordered logistic regressions were performed with sample weights.

Results

The weighted sample was 50.3% female and 57.5% White. Compared to those in the lowest quartile of total time per day spent on SM, participants in the highest quartile had significantly increased odds of depression (AOR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.14–2.42) after controlling for all covariates. Compared with those in the lowest quartile, individuals in the highest quartile of SM site visits per week and those with a higher global frequency score had significantly increased odds of depression (AOR = 2.74, 95% CI = 1.86–4.04; AOR = 3.05, 95% CI = 2.03–4.59, respectively). All associations between independent variables and depression had strong, linear, dose–response trends. Results were robust to all sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions

SM use was significantly associated with increased depression. Given the proliferation of SM, identifying the mechanisms and direction of this association is critical for informing interventions that address SM use and depression.

Number of times cited according to CrossRef: 227

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