Issue link: https://blog.providence.org/i/1009460
Hopelab & Well Being Trust 64 Frequency of Social Media Use, by Depressive Symptoms This survey did not find a statistically significant association between how frequently young people use social media and their current symptoms of depression. Sixteen percent of survey respondents with no depressive symptoms, as indicated by PHQ-8 scores, described themselves as "almost constant" users of social media, as did 21% of those who suffer from moderate to severe depression (not a statistically significant difference). There were also not significant differences in the proportion that described their social media use as less than constantly, but "several times a day" (62% of those with no symptoms and 59% of those with moderate to severe depression). It should be noted that because this survey only captures respondents' self-reported social media use, we do not know how well these findings correlate with objectively-measured behavior. And because this survey did not ask respondents to estimate the total amount of time they spend on social media per day, it is possible that there are differences in the length of time devoted to social media use that don't show up in our measures of frequency of use. When we asked respondents directly whether they think they spend too much time and energy on social media in general, the difference between groups was not statistically significant (29% of those with moderate to severe depressive symptoms said yes, compared to 18% of those with no symptoms). However, young people who are experiencing moderate to severe depressive symptoms are significantly more likely to report having taken a break from social media at some point (62%, compared to 40% of those with no symptoms). This may indicate a higher need to take a break (e.g., they experience more online conflict), it may be a reflection of an ability to self-regulate social media use during periods of depression, as discussed below, or be due to other factors entirely. None Mild Moderate to severe "Almost constant" Spend "too much" time/energy on social media Have ever taken a break from social media Daily, but less than constant 16% 18% 40%ยช 62% 14% 29% 61% b 73% 21% 29% 62% b 59% Table 11: Reported amount of social media use, by depressive symptoms Among 14- to 22-year-old social media users Source: Hopelab/Well Being Trust Teens and Young Adults Survey, February-March 2018. N=1,337 young people ages 14-22. Note: Superscripts are used to denote statistical significance across rows at p<.05. Items with no s uperscripts, and items that share a common superscript, are not significantly different. Self-reported frequency of social media use: Percent who say they: Social Media Use and Mental Well-Being Social Media Use Among Young People With and Without Depressive Symptoms Depressive symptoms