Association between use of social networking media and depression in adolescents and young adults : a systematic review

Abstract

Introduction Depression is a highly prevalent mental disorder that affects 350 million people worldwide. A recent trend shows that the situation is getting more severe among the young generation. The emergence of online social networking media (SNM) such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are especially popular among adolescents. Hence the influence of social online networking media usage on mental health status is worth investigating. The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the evidence regarding the role of SNM in depression among adolescents and young adults, so as to find out implications for interventions and preventive strategies planning.

Methods Studies investigating the association between the use of social networking media and depression that carried out from January 1st 2000 to May 31st 2016 were retrieved from PubMed, PsycInfo and EMBASE and reviewed. Results Twenty-nine studies were included in this review. Majority of the studies (n = 23) showed a positive association between the use of social networking media and depression. Gender was found as a risk factor of which female attributed to higher risk of depression. Social comparison, perceived social support and rumination were common etiological theories explaining the positive association.

Conclusion A number of studies reported a positive association of SNM use and depression. However, more evidence is required for causal inference. With the advent of technological advances, public health professionals need to recognize the potential health role of online social networks.