PURPOSE: To evaluate the association between social networking site (SNS) use and depression in older adolescents using an experience sample method (ESM) approach. METHODS: Older adolescent university students completed an online survey containing the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depression screen (PHQ) and a week-long ESM data collection period to assess SNS use. RESULTS: Participants (N = 190) included in the study were 58% female and 91% Caucasian. The mean age was 18.9 years (standard deviation = .8). Most used SNSs for either <30 minutes (n = 100, 53%) or between 30 minutes and 2 hours (n = 74, 39%); a minority of participants reported daily use of SNS >2 hours (n = 16, 8%). The mean PHQ score was 5.4 (standard deviation = 4.2). No associations were seen between SNS use and either any depression (p = .519) or moderate to severe depression (p = .470). CONCLUSIONS: We did not find evidence supporting a relationship between SNS use and clinical depression. Counseling patients or parents regarding the risk of "Facebook Depression" may be premature.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the association between social networking site (SNS) use and depression in older adolescents using an experience sample method (ESM) approach. METHODS: Older adolescent university students completed an online survey containing the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depression screen (PHQ) and a week-long ESM data collection period to assess SNS use. RESULTS:Participants (N = 190) included in the study were 58% female and 91% Caucasian. The mean age was 18.9 years (standard deviation = .8). Most used SNSs for either <30 minutes (n = 100, 53%) or between 30 minutes and 2 hours (n = 74, 39%); a minority of participants reported daily use of SNS >2 hours (n = 16, 8%). The mean PHQ score was 5.4 (standard deviation = 4.2). No associations were seen between SNS use and either any depression (p = .519) or moderate to severe depression (p = .470). CONCLUSIONS: We did not find evidence supporting a relationship between SNS use and clinical depression. Counseling patients or parents regarding the risk of "Facebook Depression" may be premature.
Authors: Ariel Shensa; César G Escobar-Viera; Jaime E Sidani; Nicholas D Bowman; Michael P Marshal; Brian A Primack Journal: Soc Sci Med Date: 2017-04-24 Impact factor: 4.634
Authors: Jacquelynn R Jones; Jason B Colditz; Ariel Shensa; Jaime E Sidani; Liu Yi Lin; Martha Ann Terry; Brian A Primack Journal: Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw Date: 2016-10