Multiple Factors Contributing to Depression in Young Adults – Study
Introduction
In recent years, the prevalence of depression among adolescents and young adults has significantly increased. This rise coincides with the growing integration of technology and social media into daily life. Researchers have been keen to understand how social media use correlates with depression and its relationship with other behaviors like physical activity, green space exposure, cannabis use, and eveningness (the tendency to stay up late).
Study Overview
A study published on May 15 in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction explores these associations. Conducted by a team led by experts at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, the research examines the interplay between social media use, depression, and various health-related behaviors in young adults over time.
Dr. Carol Vidal, the first author of the study and a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, explains the core question: “Is high social media use causing depression, or are depressed individuals more inclined to use social media excessively, while also engaging less in physical activities and spending less time in green spaces?” This study aims to shed light on these complex relationships.
Methodology
The study involved 376 young adults in Canada, with a majority of participants being women (82.4%). These individuals were asked to complete three online questionnaires between May 2021 and January 2022. The questionnaires included the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), a widely used nine-item scale for measuring depression. Participants also reported their social media use, green space exposure, physical activity, and cannabis use.
Key Findings
- Prevalence of Depression: Most participants reported at least mild depressive symptoms. Those with higher social media use tended to exhibit more depressive symptoms, and vice versa. However, the researchers found that social media use did not directly cause changes in depressive symptoms over time.
- Social Media and Depression: The study revealed a bidirectional relationship between social media use and depression. People who were more depressed used social media more, but increased social media use did not necessarily lead to higher depression levels over time. “We found that if you tended to be a person who was depressed, you were a person also spending more time on social media,” says Vidal.
- Green Space Exposure: Higher levels of social media use and depressive symptoms were linked to lower exposure to green spaces. This finding underscores the potential mental health benefits of spending time outdoors.
- Cannabis Use and Eveningness: The study also found that higher cannabis use and a tendency to stay up late (eveningness) were associated with higher levels of depression.
Implications
The study highlights the importance of a balanced lifestyle in mitigating depression. While social media use and depression are associated, the findings do not support the notion that social media use directly increases depressive symptoms over time. Instead, they suggest that individuals who are already depressed might turn to social media more frequently.
Given these insights, it is crucial for healthcare providers and parents to encourage healthy habits among young people. A balanced lifestyle that includes moderate social media use, regular physical activity, and time spent in green spaces can be beneficial for mental health. “Being indoors and not exercising, staying up late and using cannabis has its risks,” says Vidal. “It is important for providers to educate patients and for parents to instill healthy habits in their kids.”
Future Research
Dr. Vidal and her colleagues believe that further research is necessary to fully understand the impact of social media on mental health across different age groups, including younger children and adolescents. They emphasize the need for longitudinal studies to track changes over time and to explore the potential causative factors more deeply.
Conclusion
The study from Johns Hopkins Children’s Center offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between social media use and depression in young adults. While it clarifies that social media use does not directly cause increased depressive symptoms, it underscores the importance of a balanced lifestyle for mental well-being. As technology continues to evolve, ongoing research and proactive strategies will be essential in promoting mental health among young people.
Source: Materials provided by Johns Hopkins Medicine. Content edited for style and length.