Use of multiple Social Media Platforms Increases the Risk of Depression – Study

Social media has become an inseparable part of every individual’s life. So much so that to

expect a person to spend even a few minutes without being active on any of the social media

platform is unimaginable. Apparently, similar to an addiction to drugs like cocaine or

marijuana, even social media addiction is habit-forming, which can get worse over time.

A new study by the researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Center for Research on Media,

Technology and Health (CRMTH) suggests that individuals who are active on a variety of social

media platforms are more likely to develop depression and anxiety, as compared to those

who spend more time on social media but use lesser number of platforms.

Individuals using 7-11 social media platforms had 3.1 times chances of developing

depression

Scheduled to be

published online in

the April issue of the

journal “Computers in

Human Behavior,” the

study revealed that

people who used the

maximum number of

social media

platforms were more

likely to develop

depression and

anxiety, as compared

to those who used

fewer platforms,

regardless of the total

time spent on the overall social media.

“This association is strong enough that clinicians could consider asking their patients with

depression and anxiety about multiple platform use and counseling them that this use may

be related to their symptoms,” said the lead author and physician Brian A. Primack, M.D.,

Ph.D., director of CRMTH, and assistant vice chancellor for health and society in Pitt's Schools

of the Health Sciences.

As part of the study, Primack and his colleagues enrolled 1,787 U.S. adults in the age group of

19 through 32 to assess their social media use, in 2014, based on an established depression

assessment tool and questionnaires. Each participant was questioned about the 11 most

popular social media platforms of that time, including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Google

Plus, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit, Tumblr, Pinterest, Vine and LinkedIn.

It was found that individuals who used 7 to 11 platforms had 3.1 times chances of developing

higher levels of depressive symptoms as compared to their counterparts who used just zero

to two platforms. Moreover, people who used the maximum number of platforms were 3.3

times likely to develop high levels of anxiety symptoms as compared to those who used the

least number of platforms. During the course of the study, other factors that usually

contribute to depression and anxiety, such as race, gender, relationship status, household

income, education and total time spent on social media, were kept under control.

However, the study could not clearly indicate the directionality of the association between

the social media usage and the onset of the mental health condition. People who experience

symptoms of depression or anxiety are more prone to use various social media platforms as

an outlet for their emotional upheavals, while many others who try to maintain a presence

on multiple platforms, ultimately, fall prey to depression and anxiety. However, further

research is needed to understand the exact correlation between the two.

Why does social media usage trigger depression and anxiety?

A number of theories have been proposed by researchers to prove that multi-platform social

media use may aggravate depression and anxiety. Some of the theories put forward by

Primack and his team are:

Multitasking that occurs when switching between platforms leads to poor cognitive

and mental health outcomes.

Each platform has a distinct set of rules, and cultural assumptions, which can be

difficult to navigate, ultimately leading to negative mood and emotions.

An increased risk of committing mistakes when using multiple platforms may, in turn,

increase the risk of repeated embarrassments.

Seeking professional help

Apart from reducing the symptoms of anxiety and depression, curbing the use of social media

can actually help people save time.

If you or your loved one is battling depression or any other mental disorder, the Depression

Treatment Centers of California can provide you with information about the best depression

treatment centers in California. Call us at our 24/7 helpline number 855-678-0400 or chat

online with our counselors for further information about the best depression rehab centers

in California.

For more information, please visit

www.depressiontreatmentcentersofcalifornia.com