Hopelab & Well Being Trust 28
warranting further attention).
12
Other research has shown that cut-
points ranging from eight to 11 can be used for defining current
depression, with 10 being the most commonly validated in adults.
13
Therefore, for purposes of data analysis, in this report respondents
were classified into three groups by level of depressive symptoms:
none (0-4), mild (5-9), and moderate to severe (10+). However, it should
be recognized that there is an important difference between a score
of 10+ on the PHQ-8 and a clinical diagnosis of depression, which
is a diagnostic assessment made by a trained, licensed medical
or mental health practitioner.
This survey is not intended as a comprehensive assessment or analysis
of the extent and severity of depressive symptoms among teens and
young adults. The primary purpose of including such measures in
the survey is to explore how those young people who report current
depressive symptoms describe a wide range of digital health and social
media behaviors and experiences, and whether their descriptions of
use are different than among those without current depressive symp-
toms. It is also important to note that due to the cross-sectional,
self-report nature of this survey, it cannot assess the full relationship
between depression and behaviors such as social media use, nor
can it speak to how such experiences develop over time. The findings
presented are descriptive and correlational only; they cannot be
interpreted as implying causality.
About NORC at the University of Chicago
NORC at the University of Chicago is an independent research institu-
tion that delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical
programmatic, business, and policy decisions. Since 1941, NORC has
conducted groundbreaking studies, created and applied innovative
methods and tools, and advanced principles of scientific integrity
and collaboration. Today, government, corporate, and nonprofit clients
around the world partner with NORC to transform increasingly complex
information into useful knowledge. NORC conducts research in five
main areas: Economics, Markets, and the Workforce; Education, Training,
and Learning; Global Development; Health and Well-Being; and Society,
Media, and Public Affairs.
12
Instructions for Patient Health Question-
naire (PHQ) and GAD-7 Measures. See:
https://www.ons.org/sites/default/files/
PHQandGAD7_InstructionManual.pdf
13
Kroenke et al, op. cit.
Methodology
