Communication competence, social support, and depression among college students: a model of facebook and face-to-face support network influence

Sociocultural, Behavioral, and Physical Correlates of Excessive Social Media Use, Addiction, and Motivation Toward Reduction in a Hispanic College Student Sample

Social media use has been associated with adverse health consequences. However, there is limited research assessing correlates of social media use, addiction, failure to control use, and motivation to reduce use in a Hispanic sample. This study aimed to fill this gap by assessing factors within the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Framework. Participants were Hispanic college students (n = 273) residing either in the United States or Mexico who completed an online survey. Univariate analyses determined independent variables to be assessed in four linear regression models. Results indicated that weekly social media use was negatively associated with sex, attentional impulsivity, and social comparison and positively associated with social media craving (SMC). Social media addiction was positively associated with frequency of posting in Spanish, Fear of Missing Out, SMC, and home restriction of social media use. Social media self-control failure was negatively associated with acculturative language and positively associated with frequency of posting in English, attentional impulsiveness, SMC, and home restriction of social media use. Motivation to reduce social media use was positively associated with residing in the United States. Clinical implications include targeting key factors through tailored interventions aimed at promoting adaptive social media use patterns.

Social media use and its impact on adults' mental health and well-being: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Social media use has grown in importance and prevalence, with its estimated number of users at 4.9 billion worldwide. Social media use research has revealed positive and negative impacts on users' mental health and well-being. However, such impacts among adults have not been examined in any reviews.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted based on the framework by Arksey and O'Malley and reported based on the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Eight databases were searched from 2005 to December 2021. Articles were included after being reviewed by three independent teams, with discrepancies resolved through consensus with the senior author. Publication-related information (i.e., authors, year of publication, aims, study population, methodology, interventions, comparisons, outcome measures and key findings) were extracted from each study. Thematic analysis was conducted to answer the research questions.

RESULTS

Among the 114 eligible articles, young adults (69.6%) represented the main age group. Most studies (78.6%) focused on the negative impacts of social media use on mental health and well-being, with nearly a third (32.1%) assessing such impacts on depression. Notably, this scoping review found that more than three-quarters (78.6%) of the included studies revealed that excessive and passive social media use would increases depression, anxiety, mood and loneliness. Nevertheless, a third (33.0%) also reported positive impacts, where positive and purposeful use of social media contributes to improvements in mental health and well-being, such as increased perceived social support and enjoyment.

LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION

This review has provided an overview of the existing knowledge on how social media use affects adults and identified areas of research that merit investigation in future studies. More attention should be given to maximizing the positive impacts of social media use on mental health and well-being among adults.

Facebook addiction and its impact on depression: a cross sectional study

AIM

Facebook has become a part of daily life for its users and therefore become a very significant factor of mental health. As the number of Facebook users increases exponentially, the problems related to immense use have become more evident and more frequent. Therefore, the study aimed to explore the impact of Facebook addiction on depression among its users.

METHODS

An online-based questionnaire was used to collect data from 269 Facebook users of Bangladesh using convenient sampling technique. Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scale was used to assess Facebook addiction and its impact on depression.Ordinal logistic was used to extract the significant variables associated with Facebook addiction and depression.

RESULTS

The result categorized the Facebook users into three categories as : normal (17%), problematic user (52%) and addicted (30.5%). Facebook users were suffering from mild (13.4%), minimal (15.6%), moderate (59.5%), and severe (11.5%) level of depression. Both Facebook addiction and depression were moderately correlated (0.701). Ordinal regression showed, gender [Formula: see text] (95% CI) = 0.859 (0.223,1.495)), age (β (95% CI) = -2.051(-3.789, -0.313)), residential area (β (95% CI) = -0.858(-1.626, -0.09)), occupation ([Formula: see text]), time length of Facebook use ([Formula: see text]are the significant predictors of Facebook addiction. Wheras, relationship types and occupation are also responsible for depression.

CONCLUSION

The study showed large portion of facebook users of Bangladesh are suffering from depression. Authors suggest to arrange mental health campaign to promote bounded and legitimate use of facebook and therefore will accelerate the attaining rate of sustainable development goal related to the Bangladesh's health status.

The relationship between short-form video use and depression among Chinese adolescents: Examining the mediating roles of need gratification and short-form video addiction

Short-form video apps, such as TikTok, have become popular worldwide. Compared to traditional social media, they have powerful push algorithms and are more entertaining, which might lead to some negative effects. Research has attempted to identify the relationship between short-form video use and depression, but the processes mechanism underly the relationship was few in number. The present study explored the association between short-form video use and depression among Chinese adolescents and analyzed the mediating roles of need gratification and short-form video addiction. The participants included 1302 senior high school students (Mage = 16.03, SD = 0.76, 42.6 % boys). And a structure equation model with chain mediating was established using Mplus. The results showed (1) a direct association between short-form video use and adolescent depression, (2) that entertainment need gratification, social-related need gratification, and short-form video addiction acted as chain mediating factors, and (3) no gender difference in the model. The present study's findings revealed the important mediating role of addictive behavior between normal use behavior and depression and suggested that preventative and interventional plans based on need gratification should be developed to reduce short-form video addiction and improve mental health.

Mental health literacy, mental health experiences and help-seeking behaviours of Chinese elite athletes: a qualitative study

Introduction

Elite athletes' help-seeking on mental health might be influenced by their mental health literacy (MHL) and mental health experiences. The current study aimed to explore the MHL, experiences and help-seeking behaviours among elite athletes using a qualitative approach.

Methods

Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted among 20 Chinese elite athletes, 12 coaches, and 5 team officials. Interview data was analyzed using content analysis.

Results

Seven main themes emerged from the analysis. The current study revealed that Chinese elite athletes suffered from various mental health issues and athletes' MHL levels, help-seeking attitudes and intentions, Chinese sports environments, and Chinese cultural background could impact their help-seeking behaviours.

Conclusion

Support for Chinese elite athletes' mental health and help-seeking requires improvement.

An egocentric network analysis of U.S. college students' recollection of mental health symptoms and social connections during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective: This study analyzes pandemic-era diminished mental health and social connections among college students. Participants: Students of a large public university completed an online survey measuring self-reported mental health symptoms for themselves and that of their closest social connections. Methods: Three regression models were used to understand if pandemic-era diminished mental health was associated with mental health characteristics present among their social networks: (1) depressive symptoms, (2) loneliness, and (3) hopelessness. Results: Students experiencing depressive symptoms (R2 = 0.13, F = 3.685, p < 0.001) perceived depressive symptoms (β = 0.32, p = 0.01) among their social connections. Students experiencing loneliness (R2 = 0.13, F = 3.867, p < 0.001) perceived loneliness (β = 0.39, p = 0.02) among their social connections. Students experiencing hopelessness (R2 = 0.14, F = 4.223, p < 0.001) perceived depressive symptoms (β = 0.35, p = 0.01) among their social connections. Conclusion: Social connections may influence mental health symptoms and could be a social determinant of certain mental health outcomes.

Negative COVID-19 impacts and depressive symptoms over time among first-year college students

Objective: This study examined the disruptions to social life, financial impact, and academic concerns caused by COVID-19 experienced by first-year college students, as well as their associations with depressive symptoms over time. Participants and Methods: Five hundred and thirty freshman college students completed an online survey at baseline and 14-week follow-up. Results: We found that female students reported greater COVID-19 academic concerns than males. Black students endorsed lower COVID-19 academic concerns and Latinx students reported greater negative COVID-19 financial impact compared to other ethnic groups. First-generation college students reported greater negative COVID-19 financial impact than domestic students. COVID-19 academic concerns and negative social and financial impacts were associated with greater depressive symptoms at baseline. However, only COVID-19 academic concerns were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms over time. Conclusions: Findings suggest that the academic, social, and financial disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have negative mental health consequences that should be addressed in research and university settings.

Motivated and able: when is facebook used to seek friendship and social support?

When employing adaptive behaviors to a changing environment, ability and motivation work hand in hand. Our goal was to investigate how ability and motivation interact when utilizing Facebook for social support and friendship. We predicted that well-being and perceived social support would be negatively related to motivation to use Facebook for social support and friendship. We also predicted that computer-mediated communication (CMC) competence would positively related to these motives. A survey of 282 college students tested our mediational model. Results indicated that perceived social support mediated the relationship between well-being and motivations to use Facebook for social support, but only when CMC competence was high, meaning students experienced this relationship only when both motivated and able to use Facebook for the purpose of seeking social support. The results suggest that interventions to increase CMC competence through Facebook use can help students garner greater social support and improve overall well-being.

Future self-continuity and depression among college students: The role of presence of meaning and perceived social support

INTRODUCTION

Future self-continuity has been shown to have a protective effect against depression. This study aims to investigate the longitudinal relationship between future self-continuity and depression among college students, and to explore the mediating role of the presence of meaning and the moderating role of perceived social support.

METHODS

We conducted two studies in China in 2022 and 2023. Study 1 was a longitudinal cross-lagged study that examined the relationship between future self-continuity and depression among 173 participants (49.13% females, Mage  = 19.39, SD = 1.63). Study 2 was a cross-sectional study that explored the mediating role of the presence of meaning and the moderating role of perceived social support among 426 participants (48.59% females, Mage  = 19.30, SD = 1.60).

RESULTS

Study 1 showed that future self-continuity (T1) could significantly predict depression (T2), but depression (T1) could not predict future self-continuity (T2). Study 2 showed that after controlling for gender, the presence of meaning mediated the relationship between future self-continuity and depression, whereas perceived social support moderated the first half of the mediated model's pathway and the direct pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that enhancing the future self-continuity of college students and increasing the level of presence of meaning are effective measures for alleviating depression. Meanwhile, educators and families are called upon to provide more social support to college students.

Nutritional education strategies for patients with cirrhosis: A narrative review

BACKGROUND

Patients with cirrhosis suffer from many complications, including malnutrition, which must be managed promptly and effectively by the healthcare team. Educating patients about their medical condition, the risk of malnutrition and other complications of cirrhosis, could contribute to optimal nutritional status, quality of life and general health.

OBJECTIVE

This review provides an overview of the literature on a variety of nutritional education strategies used with patients suffering from cirrhosis. This review also identifies barriers and facilitators which impact the adherence in using these strategies.

PATIENT INVOLVEMENT

A patient-partner contributed to this review by providing insights on different issues and concerns that patients with cirrhosis might ask themselves regarding nutritional education strategies. The patient-partner was also involved in the overall revision of the review.

METHODS

Articles published between the years 2000-2023 focusing on nutritional education strategies in patients living with cirrhosis were identified using Google Scholar and PubMed and were screened for inclusion in the study. All selected studies were intervention studies. A quality assessment of the included studies was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).

RESULTS

Only a few nutritional education strategies in patients with cirrhosis were documented in the literature. The strategies ranged from using traditional printed materials to advanced technologies. These strategies may prove beneficial in complementing routine interventions provided by health professionals, such as registered dietitians, in their clinical practice.

DISCUSSION

This narrative review clearly highlights the need for further research to elaborate and evaluate nutritional education strategies for people living with cirrhosis.

PRACTICAL VALUE

Elaborating and evaluating educational strategies in nutrition for patients living with cirrhosis will be an adjuvant to health professionals and dietitians in their clinical practice by providing them, and the patients, with targeted education resources.

Negative psychological and physiological effects of social networking site use: The example of Facebook

Social networking sites (SNS), with Facebook as a prominent example, have become an integral part of our daily lives and more than four billion people worldwide use SNS. However, the (over-)use of SNS also poses both psychological and physiological risks. In the present article, we review the scientific literature on the risk of Facebook (over-)use. Addressing this topic is critical because evidence indicates the development of problematic Facebook use ("Facebook addiction") due to excessive and uncontrolled use behavior with various psychological and physiological effects. We conducted a review to examine the scope, range, and nature of prior empirical research on the negative psychological and physiological effects of Facebook use. Our literature search process revealed a total of 232 papers showing that Facebook use is associated with eight major psychological effects (perceived anxiety, perceived depression, perceived loneliness, perceived eating disorders, perceived self-esteem, perceived life satisfaction, perceived insomnia, and perceived stress) and three physiological effects (physiological stress, human brain alteration, and affective experience state). The review also describes how Facebook use is associated with these effects and provides additional details on the reviewed literature, including research design, sample, age, and measures. Please note that the term "Facebook use" represents an umbrella term in the present work, and in the respective sections it will be made clear what kind of Facebook use is associated with a myriad of investigated psychological variables. Overall, findings indicate that certain kinds of Facebook use may come along with significant risks, both psychologically and physiologically. Based on our review, we also identify potential avenues for future research.

The Relationship between Stress Perception and Problematic Social Network Use among Chinese College Students: The Mediating Role of the Fear of Missing Out

Based on the interaction of person-affect-cognition-execution model, this study examined the association between stress perception and problematic social network use among Chinese college students and explored the mediating effect of the fear of missing out (FoMO) on the relationship between stress perception and problematic social network use. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 554 students from nine universities in China. We found that stress perception was significantly positively correlated with problematic social network use and FoMO (r = 0.38, 0.46; p < 0.001), and FoMO was significantly positively correlated with problematic social network use (r = 0.45, p < 0.001). FoMO mediated the relationship between stress perception and problematic social network use. Conclusion: Stress perception has a negative impact on college students' problematic social network use via the mediating effect of FoMO. Practical implications that reveal the college students' problematic social network use were discussed as well.

Should I post? The relationships among social media use, emotion recognition, and mental health

Introduction

While increased time spent on social media can be negatively related to one's overall mental health, social media research often fails to account for what behaviors users are actually engaging in while they are online. The present research helps to address this gap by measuring participants' active and passive social media behavioral styles and investigates whether and how these two social media behavioral styles are related to depression, anxiety, and stress, and the mediating role of emotion recognition ability in this relationship.

Methods

A pre-study (N = 128) tested whether various social media behaviors reliably grouped into active and passive behavioral styles, and a main study (N = 139) tested the relationships between social media use style, emotion recognition, and mental health.

Results

While we did not find evidence of a mediating relationship between these variables, results supported that more active social media use was related to more severe anxiety and stress as well as poorer emotion recognition skill, while passive social media use was unrelated to these outcomes.

Discussion

These findings highlight that, beyond objective time spent on social media, future research must consider how users are spending their time online.

Understanding the relationship between social media use and depression: a review of the literature

Purpose

This paper analyzes the existing body of work on the relationship between depression and social media use in the information system field, including the impact of social media use on depression, the effect of depression on social media use and the association and interaction between depression and social media use.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the systematic review method, this study selected the Web of Science, Emerald, Science Direct, JSTOR, Wiley Online Library and Taylor and Francis Online as search databases and ended up with 29 papers that met all the authors' requirements.

Findings

This study identified five possible reasons for the inconsistencies between the findings of the selected studies. First, uses and gratifications theory has different influence mechanisms in evaluating the relationship between social media use and depression. Second, gender can moderate the impact of social media use on depression. Third, age moderates the association between social media use and depression. Fourth, for adolescents, the time spent on social media has a critical effect on their depression. Fifth, negative personality traits (e.g. rumination, envy, etc.) can play a significant role in mediating the relationship between passive social media use and depression.

Originality/value

This study conducted an evaluation of the relationship between depression and social media use. First, the authors summarized the research framework and main body of work covering the relationship between depression and social media use. Second, the authors proposed possible explanations for the inconsistencies between the findings. Third, the authors discussed and explained the possible influence mechanisms of the existing results.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-04-2021-0211.

Mental health disorder symptom prevalence and rates of help-seeking among University-Enrolled, emerging adults

Objective. Examine mental health symptom prevalence and rates of campus services utilization among Black male, White male and Black female college students. Participants. 2500 students from an ongoing, student survey at a public university; launched in 2011. Methods. Measures included data for anxiety and depressive symptoms and utilization of campus health services (counseling center, health services, etc.). Descriptive analyses determined prevalence and utilization rates. Mann Whitney U tests compared prevalence. Chi-squared tests compared utilization rates. Results. Anxiety prevalence: greater than 60% of students from each ethnic group reported symptoms; reporting rates decreased significantly for Black men (49.6%); p < 0.001. Depression prevalence: greater than 80% reported symptoms; there were significant differences in reporting between Black men and Black women (72.7% vs. 87.1%, p < 0.001). Utilization: Black men utilized counseling services less than White men (20.4% vs. 37.8%, p = 0.024). Conclusion. Black men report depressive and anxiety symptoms but underutilize campus health resources.

Neighborhood Disadvantage and Mental Health: Test of a Parallel Mediation Model through Social Support and Negative Emotionality

According to the life stress model, stressful circumstances occur in the context of social, psychological, and environmental features that can function as either resources or aggravating factors, each of which are associated with well-being. This research was designed to test indirect effects of living in disadvantaged neighborhoods on mental health, through reduced social support and increased negative emotionality. This model was tested with data from a national sample of 1050 adults residing in the United States. Participants completed measures of social support, negative emotionality, depression, loneliness, stress, and alcohol consumption. These scores were merged with data from the 2015 American Community Survey to assess indicators of neighborhood disadvantage at the zip code level. The test of a parallel mediation model with structural equation modeling indicated that neighborhood disadvantage did not have direct effects on either psychological distress or alcohol consumption. However, neighborhood disadvantage was associated with greater negative emotionality, and through negative emotionality, exhibited indirect effects on psychological distress and alcohol consumption. These results are consistent with elements of the life stress model that specify various psychosocial traits as maladaptive in the context of stressful environments.

The Use of Close Friends on Instagram, Help-Seeking Willingness, and Suicidality Among Hong Kong Youth: Exploratory Sequential Mixed Methods Study

Background

Social networking sites (SNSs) have gained popularity in recent years for help seeking and self-distress expression among adolescents. Although online suicidal expression is believed to have major benefits, various concerns have also been raised, particularly around privacy issues. Understanding youths’ help-seeking behavior on SNSs is critical for effective suicide prevention; however, most research neglects the impacts of the private SNS context.

Objective

This study aims to examine youths’ private SNS use via the new Instagram feature, Close Friends, and its association with both online and offline help-seeking willingness as well as youths’ suicidality.

Methods

This study employed an exploratory sequential mixed methods approach with a combination of explorative qualitative interviews and a systematic quantitative survey, targeting youth aged 15-19 years in Hong Kong. The motivations for utilizing Close Friends and concerns regarding online expression were addressed in the focus group and individual interviews (n=40). A cross-sectional survey (n=1676) was conducted subsequently with eligible secondary school students to examine the prevalence of Close Friends usage, their online and offline help-seeking willingness, and suicide-related experiences.

Results

A total of 3 primary motives for using Close Friends were identified during interviews, including (1) interaction and help seeking, (2) release of negative emotions, and (3) ventilation and self-expression. Most participants also highlighted the privacy concerns associated with public online communication and the importance of contacting close friends for emotional support. Survey results showed that use of Close Friends was quite prevalent among adolescents (1163/1646, 70.66%), with around 46% (754/1646, 45.81%) of respondents being frequent users. Differences by gender and school academic banding were also revealed. Regarding help-seeking intentions, youths were generally positive about seeking help from peers and friends offline (1010/1266, 79.78%) yet negative about seeking assistance from online friends or professionals with whom they had not yet developed a real-world connection (173/1266, 13.67%). Most notably, frequencies of Close Friends usage were differentially associated with online and offline help-seeking willingness and youths’ suicidality. Compared with nonusers, those who had ever used the feature were more likely to seek offline support (adjusted odds ratios [AORs] 1.82-2.36), whereas heavy use of Close Friends was associated with increased odds of online help-seeking willingness (AOR 1.76, 95% CI 1.06-2.93) and a higher risk of suicidality (AOR 1.53, 95% CI 1.01-2.31).

Conclusions

The popularity of Close Friends reflects the increasing need for private online expression among youth. This study demonstrates the importance of Close Friends for self-expression and private conversation and inadequacy of peer support for suicidal adolescents. Further research is needed to identify the causal relationship between Close Friends usage and help-seeking willingness to guide the advancement of suicide prevention strategies. Researchers and social media platforms may cooperate to co-design a risk monitoring system tailored to the private SNS context, assisting professionals in identifying youth at risk of suicide.

Amelioration and deterioration: Social network typologies and mental health among female domestic workers in China

Previous quantitative studies on the effects of social network types on mental health have obtained inconsistent or conflicting results, due to problems such as sample selection bias or crude measurement of variables. In this study, we avoided these problems by using appropriate statistical methodology to examine the effect of various forms of social network on the mental health of a sample of 987 Chinese female domestic workers. Thus, we measured social network types in terms of both network attributes (friend networks and family networks) and interaction channels (face-to-face, telephone, and WeChat/QQ channels, where the latter are two popular online messaging platforms in China), and used the coarsened exact matching method to obtain a balanced sample. The results showed that social network typologies had positive and negative effects on the mental health of this sample of domestic workers, as evidenced by (1) In terms of network attributes, family networks were associated with improved mental health and friend networks were associated with worsened mental health; (2) In terms of interaction channels, the significant amelioration in mental health from family networks came from face-to-face interactions, the significant deterioration in mental health from friends networks came from telephone interactions, and in terms of other interaction channels, family networks and friends networks had no significant effect on mental health. Robustness tests indicated that these conclusions are reliable. We discuss the possible mechanisms of which different types of social networks influence mental health.

Association between WeChat Use and Memory Performance among Older Adults in China: The Mediating Role of Depression

Changes to memory performance in the course of aging may be influenced by behavioral factors. The use of social media among elderly people is increasing, but studying its effect on cognitive functions such as memory remains at an early stage of development. Meanwhile, the linking mechanisms underlying the association between social media use and memory performance, if any exist, have not been revealed. This study attempted to examine the association between the use of WeChat, the most popular social media platform in China, and memory performance among older people, and to test the possible mediating role of depression underlying this association. Data were drawn from the five-wave survey of the China Family Panel Study (CFPS), and 4929 respondents aged 60 or older (mean age = 68.19, SD = 5.84, 48.2% females) were included. Based on the descriptive statistics, the chi-squared test, Student’s t-test, correlation analysis, and mediation analysis were conducted. The results indicated that the usage rate of WeChat among the sample was 20.1%. After controlling for demographic variables, the use of WeChat was related to higher levels of memory performance and lower levels of depression. Moreover, depression partially mediated the relationship between WeChat use and memory performance. To maintain memory performance and promote cognitive health in the course of aging, using social media and alleviating depression merit special attention.

Facebook usage and quality of life of individuals with visual impairments

The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of Facebook usage on the quality of life of individuals with visual impairment while also investigating the impact of Facebook communication in comparison with face-to-face communication on quality of life. Ninety-two adult users of Facebook with visual impairment, of whom 46 lived in Greece and 46 lived abroad, participated in this study. Regarding Facebook usage, a questionnaire which investigated the frequency of various aspects of Facebook activity and Facebook communication as well as face-to-face communication was used in this study. Regarding quality of life, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, a single-item happiness scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory were employed to evaluate three different indicators of quality of life. Participants’ quality of life was relatively high. Findings showed that face-to-face communication with friends was a significant predictor of quality of life, while neither Facebook communication nor Facebook usage correlated with any of the indicators of quality of life investigated.

Exploring the Psychological Impacts of COVID-19 Social Restrictions on International University Students: A Qualitative Study

The global COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on the mental well-being of university students, but little attention has been given to international students, who may have a unique experience and perspective. The aim of this study was to explore the views of international students and university staff towards COVID-19 restrictions, self-isolation, their well-being, and support needs, through eight online focus groups with international students (n = 29) and semi-structured interviews with university staff (n = 17) at a higher education institution in England. Data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach, revealing three key themes and six subthemes: (1) practical, academic, and psychological challenges faced during self-isolation and the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) coping strategies to self-isolation and life during the pandemic; and (3) views on further support needed for international students. International students faced practical, academic, and psychological challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly relating to the rapid transition to online learning and the impact of social restrictions on integration with peers and well-being. Online social connections with peers, family, or new acquaintances reduced feelings of isolation and encouraged involvement in university life. Despite raising mental health concerns, most international students did not access mental health support services. Staff related this to perceived stigma around mental health in certain cultural groups. In conclusion, international students experienced specific practical and emotional challenges during the pandemic, and are at risk of mental ill-health, but may not actively seek out support from university services. Proactive and personalised approaches to student support will be important for positive student experiences and the retention of students who are studying abroad in the UK higher education system.

Seeking and Sharing Mental Health Information on Social Media During COVID-19: Role of Depression and Anxiety, Peer Support, and Health Benefits

This study conducted a cross-sectional online survey (N = 865) to determine whether self-ratings of depression and anxiety, perceived peer support, and perceived health benefits of social media predicted mental health–related information seeking and sharing behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hierarchical regression models showed only depression self-ratings, anxiety self-ratings, and perceived health benefits predicted information seeking, whereas depression self-ratings, anxiety self-ratings, perceived peer support, and perceived health benefits all predicted information sharing. There was a statistically significant positive interaction of anxiety self-ratings and perceived peer support on information sharing. Participants’ experience of COVID-19 predicted both information seeking and sharing. Mental health–related information seeking and sharing differed across social media platforms, with YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram used most for information seeking and Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter used most for information sharing. Findings suggest social media mental health–related seeking and sharing behaviors have the potential to facilitate coping surrounding mental health.

A trans-diagnostic cognitive behavioural conceptualisation of the positive and negative roles of social media use in adolescents’ mental health and wellbeing

Whilst research into the association between social media and mental health is growing, clinical interest in the field has been dominated by a lack of theoretical integration and a focus on pathological patterns of use. Here we present a trans-diagnostic cognitive behavioural conceptualisation of the positive and negative roles of social media use in adolescence, with a focus on how it interacts with common mental health difficulties. Drawing on clinical experience and an integration of relevant theory/literature, the model proposes that particular patterns of social media use be judged as helpful/unhelpful to the extent that they help/hinder the adolescent from satisfying core needs, particularly those relating to acceptance and belonging. Furthermore, it introduces several key interacting processes, including purposeful/habitual modes of engagement, approach/avoidance behaviours, as well as the potential for social media to exacerbate/ameliorate cognitive biases. The purpose of the model is to act as an aide for therapists to collaboratively formulate the role of social media in young people’s lives, with a view to informing treatment, and ultimately, supporting the development of interventions to help young people use social media in the service of their needs and values.

Key learning aims

(1)

Quality Social Connection as an Active Ingredient in Digital Interventions for Young People With Depression and Anxiety: Systematic Scoping Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Disrupted social connections may negatively affect youth mental health. In contrast, sustained quality social connections (QSCs) can improve mental health outcomes. However, few studies have examined how these quality connections affect depression and anxiety outcomes within digital interventions, and conceptualization is limited.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to conceptualize, appraise, and synthesize evidence on QSC within digital interventions (D-QSC) and the impact on depression and anxiety outcomes for young people aged 14-24 years.

METHODS

A systematic scoping review and meta-analysis was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodological frameworks and guided by experts with lived experience. Reporting was guided by the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). The MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases were searched against a comprehensive combination of key concepts on June 24, 2020. The search concepts included young people, digital intervention, depression, anxiety, and social connection. Google was also searched. A reviewer independently screened abstracts and titles and full text, and 9.99% (388/3882) of these were screened by a second reviewer. A narrative synthesis was used to structure the findings on indicators of D-QSC and mechanisms that facilitate the connection. Indicators of D-QSC from the included studies were synthesized to produce a conceptual framework.

RESULTS

Of the 5715 publications identified, 42 (0.73%) were included. Among the included studies, there were 23,319 participants. Indicators that D-QSC was present varied and included relatedness, having a sense of belonging, and connecting to similar people. However, despite the variation, most of the indicators were associated with improved outcomes for depression and anxiety. Negative interactions, loneliness, and feeling ignored indicated that D-QSC was not present. In 24% (10/42) of the applicable studies, a meta-analysis showed a significant decrease in depression (-25.6%, 95% CI -0.352 to -0.160; P<.001) and anxiety (-15.1%, 95% CI -0.251 to -0.051; P=.003) after a D-QSC. Digital mechanisms that helped create a quality connection included anonymity, confidentiality, and peer support. In contrast, mechanisms that hindered the connection included disconnection from the real world and inability to see body language. Data synthesis also identified a 5-component conceptual framework of D-QSC that included rapport, identity and commonality, valued interpersonal dynamic, engagement, and responded to and accepted.

CONCLUSIONS

D-QSC is an important and underconsidered component for youth depression and anxiety outcomes. Researchers and developers should consider targeting improved QSC between clinicians and young people within digital interventions for depression. Future research should build on our framework to further examine relationships among individual attributes of QSC, various digital interventions, and different populations.

Life Challenges and Barriers to Help Seeking: Adolescents' and Young Adults' Voices of Mental Health

Listening to the voices of adolescents and young adults regarding their lived experiences could be a way to identify important skills and abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour that will enable youth to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life. Hence, the aim with the current study is to explore the experiences and understandings of the life situation among adolescents and young adults of today, by making their voices heard in regards to mental health and help-seeking behaviour. A total of 6 group interviews were conducted with 22 adolescents and young adults (13 girls and 9 boys) ages 17-25 (M = 18.6 years). Data analysis was conducted using qualitative content analysis and resulted in two categories and five subcategories. The first category, Life challenges, included views on the sources of mental health, how to manage different types of relationships, and thoughts on accepted ways to express mental health problems. The second category, The need of present adults, highlighted important aspects for seeking help, such as an expressed need to be seen and heard by adults including parents, school staff, and other professionals as well as a need for adults' increased availability. The challenges to students' well-being and mental health are many, and there are no simple solutions. Based on the results in this study, life skills training should include elements to enhance the development of individual coping strategies, to be applied when life feels tough and when the body is experiencing stress reactions. Further, to minimize the risk of self-stigma and the internalization of negative stereotypes and self-blame, life skills training should include elements to increase knowledge of structural factors that have effects on the life situation as well as parents, school personnel, and other important adults.

Social networking sites and its relation to social comparison and psychological well-being among medical university students

BACKGROUND

Social networking sites (SNSs) have become an indispensable part of young adults in India. The content on one's profile and that of others on social media makes social comparison easier among young adults leading to poor mental health and life dissatisfaction.

AIMS

To assess the relationship between the pattern of SNS use among young adults and depression, anxiety, and social comparison.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study among medical students done using a questionnaire consisting of pattern of SNS use and scales for social comparison, depression, and anxiety.

RESULTS

We collected data from 220 students (mean age 20.44 years). Impression management was associated with higher social comparison, depression, and anxiety scores. Social comparison had a significant correlation between depression and anxiety scores.

CONCLUSION

A complex association exists between duration or time spent on SNS use and psychopathology.

Social Media and Mental Health Among Early Adolescents in Sweden: A Longitudinal Study With 2-Year Follow-Up (KUPOL Study)

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to assess the longitudinal associations between the frequency of social media use and symptoms of mental ill-health among Swedish adolescents.

METHODS

Data came from KUPOL, a Swedish school-based longitudinal cohort accrued in 101 participating schools in 8 regions of Sweden. The study sample consisted of 3,501 adolescents in grade 8 (14-15 years, 51.5%, n = 1,765 girls) followed for 2 consecutive years. Daily social media use was measured as weighted average of self-reported use in weekdays and weekend days. Mental health was measured with the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). A Random-Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model was applied to distinguish between-person from within-person associations between social media use and symptoms of mental ill-health.

RESULTS

Median SDQ score at baseline was 9 (interquartile range [IQR] 6-14). Median social media use was 1.7 hours at baseline (interquartile range .6-3.0) and increased over the 3-year period. Adolescents with more social media use also reported higher SDQ scores, B (95% confidence interval [CI]) = 2.40 (2.03-2.77). On a within-person level, no cross-lagged associations were found between changes in social media use and subsequent changes in symptoms of mental ill-health after 1 year, B (95% CI) = .02 (-.12 to .16) or vice versa B (95% CI) = .00 (-.02 to .02). Weak cross-sectional associations were found between changes in social media use and concurrent changes in symptoms of mental ill-health, B (95% CI) = .24 (.00-.48).

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescents with higher use of social media report more symptoms of mental health problems, but there is no evidence for a longitudinal association between increased use and mental health problems. This suggests that social media may be rather an indicator than a risk factor for symptoms of mental ill-health.

The Role of Social Media in Providing Support from Friends for Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Patients and Survivors of Sarcoma: Perspectives of AYA, Parents, and Providers

Purpose: The aims of the current study were to better understand, from the perspective of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with sarcoma, parents, and providers, the friendship support needs of AYAs with bone and soft tissue sarcoma and the role of social media in facilitating social support for AYAs with sarcoma. Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 21 participants. AYA (n = 10) ranged in age from 14 to 23 years (mean 19.3, standard deviation 3.4 years; 50% female). All AYAs reported a current or past diagnosis of sarcoma, except for one patient who had another cancer diagnosis but was receiving treatment through the sarcoma clinic. Five parents of the adolescent participants were interviewed, as well as six health care providers. Data analysis was conducted using theory-driven immersion/crystallization, incorporating the Resilience in Illness Model as a framework to guide interpretation of the data. Results: Four main themes associated with social support from friends and social media were identified: (1) Social media provides a way to feel normal and connected to friends; (2) Social media accentuates the frustration of being left behind; (3) Social media facilitates the need to be understood by peers who have experienced sarcoma, and (4) Social media can lead to despair, and also provide hope for the future. Conclusions: Connecting with peers through social media can play an important role in providing support for AYAs with sarcoma, but it may also amplify feelings of frustration and anxiety. Future work is needed to determine intervention components that can maximize the benefits of social media for social support of AYAs with sarcoma. Clinical Trial Registration number: NCT03130751.

Association between Facebook Use, Depression and Family Satisfaction: A Cross-Sectional Study of Romanian Youth

Background

In recent years, Facebook has increasingly become an essential part of the lives of people, particularly youths, thus many research efforts have been focused on investigating the potential connection between social networking and mental health issues. This study aimed to examine the relationship between Facebook use, emotional state of depression, and family satisfaction.

Methods

This study used the online survey created in Google Docs on the Facebook 'wall', as research method. The survey was available during Jun-Jul 2015 in Romania. In our cross-sectional study on a sample of 708 young Facebook users (aged 13-35), we divided the sample into 3 groups: ordinary, middle, and intense Facebook users. Materials and instruments: the survey comprised a series of basic demographic as well as some measures of Facebook addiction, depression, and family satisfaction. We used two methods connected with extensive Facebook usage, the first one measuring only the intensity of use, and the second one measuring not only the intensity but also the consequences of this use.

Results

Facebook engagement is negatively related to family satisfaction. Moreover, Facebook engagement is positively related to depression symptoms. The Pearson correlations showed that higher Facebook intensity is positively associated with Facebook addiction.

Conclusion

The study confirm previously published findings of other authors in the fields of social networking psychology. The study examined the relationship between Facebook use, depression, and life satisfaction and the hypotheses were supported.

The Relationships Among Autism Spectrum Disorder Traits, Loneliness, and Social Networking Service Use in College Students

This study aimed to explore the relationships among autism spectrum disorder (ASD) traits, loneliness, and social networking services (SNS) use. We created a questionnaire to evaluate manners during LINE use, which included five factors: "low literacy," "inactive use," "low responsiveness," "lack of consideration," and "low group activity." Structural equation modeling revealed that difficulties in attention switching and low communication skills were associated with low literacy, low social skills were associated with inactive use, and low literacy and inactive use were associated with loneliness. We suggested that SNS use plays a role in maintaining and enhancing friendships, whereas college students with higher ASD traits tend to use inappropriate manners for SNS, which is associated with loneliness.

Active and Passive Social Networking Sites Usage and Negative Emotions: A Reciprocal Relationship?

Introduction: The increasing popularity of social networking sites (SNS) has stimulated research on the relationship between SNS usage and users' mental health. The current study aims to shed light on the possible reciprocal relationship between type of SNS usage and subsequent mental health among Chinese college students.

Method: A latent variable cross-lagged panel analysis (two waves) was conducted (N = 266). Results showed that negative emotions (loneliness, depression) at Time 1 (T1) was positively related to both active SNS usage and passive SNS usage at Time 2 (T2). However, neither active nor passive SNS usage at T1 was found to be associated with negative emotions at T2.

Discussion: In this current research, the key finding is that type of usage did not impact on users' mental health. Future research might investigate the role of individual and social factors (e.g., self-esteem and life satisfaction) in moderating the relationship between SNS use and mental health.

Mobile Social Media Use and Trailing Parents' Life Satisfaction: Social Capital and Social Integration Perspective

In recent years, a special group of elderly migrants emerged in some developing countries, namely "trailing parents," who migrated with adult children in their later years. Lots of developing countries such as China have an increasing number of old people using mobile social media for social interaction, information, and entertainment. Based on social capital theory, we developed a research model and investigated the relationship between mobile social media use (MSMU) and social capital, social integration, and life satisfaction of trailing parents. We completed an empirical study by collecting 244 valid samples. The results show that MSMU has a positive impact on trailing parents' life satisfaction, and bonding social capital, bridging social capital and social integration are all important predictors of trailing parents' life satisfaction. Furthermore, social capital and social integration play an important chain mediation role in the relationship between MSMU and trailing parents' life satisfaction.

[Mediators of Problematic Social Media Use in Adolescence as Possible Mechanisms of Change in Psychotherapy]

Mediators of Problematic Social Media Use in Adolescence as Possible Mechanisms of Change in Psychotherapy Social media are omnipresent in the lives of adolescents. Problematic use of social media has been linked to adverse mental health outcomes including depression, anxiety, suicidality, self-harm, body dissatisfaction and eating pathology. Preliminary evidence suggests that interventions aiming at reducing the amount of time spent in social media and changing dysfunctional beliefs about social media use are promising. However, the mechanisms of change of these interventions with regard to mental health remain unclear. Therefore, this review first provides an overview of the association between social media and mental health and then identifies mediators of this relationship as potential mechanisms of change of interventions targeting problematic media use in adolescents. The identified mediators encompass social comparison, decreased self-esteem, fear of missing out, sleep problems and increased rumination. Future studies should apply a longitudinal design, should investigate additional confounding variables (e. g. age, level of psychopathology) and should also focus on positive effects of social media use on mental health. Thereby, this line of research has the potential to improve our understanding how social media use exerts its effects and based thereupon to develop new or optimize current interventions on problematic social media use to improve mental health in adolescents by targeting the identified mediators.

Development and validation of the Scale of Motives for Using Social Networking Sites (SMU-SNS) for adolescents and youths

Over the past decade, the Uses and Gratifications theory has driven research on the motives behind social media use. The three most commonly explored motives have been: maintaining relationships, seeking information, and entertainment. The aim of this study was to develop and validate the Scale of Motives for Using Social Networking Sites (SMU-SNS), a measure to assess a wider range of motives for using Social Networking Sites than have previously been researched. A multi-method design with different samples of high-school and university students was used. First, to develop the pool of items, a literature review and a focus group study (n = 48, age range = 16-21) was conducted. Second, to reduce and refine the pool of items a pilot study (n = 168, age range = 14-24) was performed. Third, a validation study (n = 1102, age range = 13-25) was conducted to assess the validity and reliability of the SMU-SNS. Cross-validation using EFA and CFA resulted in a final version comprising 27 items distributed in nine factors (Dating, New Friendships, Academic Purposes, Social Connectedness, Following and Monitoring Others, Entertainment, seeking Social Recognition, Self-expression, and seeking Information). Internal consistency was excellent and evidence of measurement invariance across gender and age was largely achieved. The SMU-SNS scores significantly correlated with other relevant variables, including age, gender, certain personality traits, social support, loneliness, and life satisfaction. Overall, findings supported the SMU-SNS as a valid and reliable measure to assess youth's motives for using Social Networking Sites. Psychometric and general implications are discussed.

Relationships between addictive Facebook use, depressiveness, insomnia, and positive mental health in an inpatient sample: A German longitudinal study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Individuals with high level of negative mental health often tend to use the social platform Facebook to escape from daily stress. They are at risk to develop an emotional bond to Facebook linked to a need to stay permanently online. The current work investigated addictive use of Facebook and its conceptual framework in clinical context.

METHODS

In a longitudinal study design, duration of daily use of Facebook, addictive Facebook use, depressiveness, insomnia, and positive mental health (PMH) were assessed in a sample of 349 inpatients [M_age (SD_age) = 50.13 (9.41)] of a psychosomatic rehabilitation clinic in Germany over a period of on average 6 weeks.

RESULTS

Regression analyses revealed that duration of daily Facebook use at the first measurement time point (T1) served as significant positive predictor of addictive Facebook use at the second measurement time point (T2). Addictive Facebook use (T1) significantly positively predicted depressiveness and insomnia (T2). Its prediction of PMH (T2) was significantly negative. Mediation analyses showed that PMH (T1) partially mediated the association between addictive Facebook use (T1) and depressiveness (T2), and fully mediated the relationship between addictive Facebook use (T1) and insomnia (T2).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Current longitudinal results indicate that addictive Facebook use might negatively impact the recovery process of inpatients. Thus, it might be relevant to assess and consider addictive Facebook use in the clinical context. Therapeutic interventions are suggested to focus on the enhancement of inpatients' PMH level, which may buffer the negative effect of problematic Facebook use.

Social Media Use and Well-Being in People with Physical Disabilities: Influence of SNS and Online Community Uses on Social Support, Depression, and Psychological Disposition

This study examined the relationships across social media use, social support, depression, and general psychological disposition among people with movement or mobility disabilities in Korea. First, with survey data (n = 91) collected from users of social network sites (SNSs) and online communities, hypotheses regarding positive associations between intensity of an individual's engagement in social media and four different types of social support-emotional, instrumental, informational, and appraisal support-were tested as well as hypotheses regarding mediation effects of the social support variables in the association between social media use and depression. Second, through focus group interviews (n = 15), influences of social media use on social support were more thoroughly explored as well as their influences on general psychological disposition. Results from hierarchical regression analyses confirmed that both intensity of SNS use and online community use significantly predicted instrumental, informational, and appraisal support, while they did not predict emotional support. Further regression and Sobel tests showed that higher levels of intensity of SNS use and of online community use both led to lower levels of depression through the mediation of instrumental and informational support. Analysis of the interviews further revealed the positive roles of social media use in building social support and healthy psychological dispositions. However, analysis also revealed some negative consequences of and limitations to social media use for those with physical disabilities. These findings expand our knowledge of the context and implications of engaging in online social activities for people with physical disabilities.

The relationship between daily stress, social support and Facebook Addiction Disorder

The present study investigated the links between daily stress, social support, Facebook use, and Facebook Addiction Disorder (FAD). Two varieties of social support were considered, according to the communication channel: offline and online. In a sample of 309 Facebook users (age: M(SD) = 23.76(4.06), range: 18-56), daily stress was positively related to the intensity of Facebook use and to tendencies towards Facebook addiction. The link between daily stress and intensity of Facebook use was negatively moderated by perceived offline social support, indicating that individuals who received low levels of support offline were particularly likely to increase their Facebook use at higher levels of daily stress. Perceived online social support partly mediated the positive relationship between Facebook use intensity and tendencies towards FAD. It is remarkable that Facebook use intensity is systematically related to both positive (i.e., receiving online social support) and negative (i.e., building up FAD) consequences. Thereby, individuals who receive high levels of social support online tend to be at risk for tendencies towards FAD. Thus, while offline social support might protect mental health, online support might influence it negatively. This should be considered when assessing individuals at risk for obsessive Facebook use and when planning interventions to deal with FAD.

Depression symptoms and negative online disclosure among young adults in college: a mixed-methods approach

Background: Social media may be novel and promising avenues to identify youth at risk for depression. Missing from prior research on youth social media use in the service of mental health is our understanding of the kinds of negative experiences young people disclose online and their associations with depression symptoms.Aims: Using a mixed-methods approach, this study: (1) examined the association between depression symptoms and online disclosure of negative emotions; (2) explored the kinds of negative experiences young adults, in their own words, disclosed online; and (3) investigated the associations between depression symptoms and the online disclosure of negative experiences.Methods: Young adults in college (N = 261; 66 males, 195 females M_age 22) completed quantitative as well as qualitative questionnaires about their Facebook content and use and about their mental health (e.g. depression symptoms). Responses were analyzed using a thematic analysis, and a series of binary logistic regression analyses, controlling for age, gender, Facebook use and self-esteem.Results: An inductive thematic analysis of 121 qualitative responses reflecting negative emotional states revealed fours themes of negative experiences: life hassles, relationships, academics and work. Binary logistic regression analyses revealed that youth who reported higher depression symptoms were two times more likely to disclose negative emotions online and were three times more likely to disclose various hassles online than their peers who reported lower symptoms. Active Facebook users were almost two times more likely than less active users to disclose negative academic experiences.Conclusions: Online disclosure of negative emotions and experiences are linked with depression symptoms. Further, online disclosure of negative experiences may also reflect normative, age-related instabilities. In sum, social media may be promising avenues to detect mental health concerns (e.g., depression) in early adulthood.

Association between social media use (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) and depressive symptoms: Are Twitter users at higher risk?

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to determine the association between social media dependence and depressive symptoms and also, to characterize the level of dependence. It was a transversal, analytical research.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The stratified sample was 212 students from a private university that used Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter. To measure depressive symptoms, Beck Depression Inventory was used, and to measure the dependence to social media, the Social Media Addiction Test was used, adapted from the Internet Addiction Test of Echeburúa. The collected data were subjected for analysis by descriptive statistics where STATA12 was used.

RESULTS

The results show that there is an association between social media dependence and depressive symptoms (PR [Prevalence Ratio] = 2.87, CI [Confidence Interval] 2.03-4.07). It was also shown that preferring the use of Twitter (PR = 1.84, CI 1.21-2.82) over Instagram (PR = 1.61, CI 1.13-2.28) is associated with depressive symptoms when compared to the use of Facebook.

CONCLUSION

Excessive social media use is associated with depressive symptoms in university students, being more prominent in those who prefer the use of Twitter over Facebook and Instagram.

The association between Facebook addiction and depression: A pilot survey study among Bangladeshi students

Social media addiction has become an area of increasing research interest over the past few years. However, there has been no previous research on social media addiction in Bangladesh. The present pilot study is the first ever in Bangladesh to examine the relationship between one specific form of social media addiction (i.e., 'Facebook addiction') and its associated predictors. This present study comprised 300 students from the University of Dhaka (Bangladesh) who participated in a survey that included questions relating to socio-demographics, health and behavioral measures, and the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS), and the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9). The prevalence of FA was 39.7% (cutoff score was ≥18 on the BFAS). Using a regression analysis, the risk of being addicted to Facebook was predicted by being single, having less involvement in physical activities, sleep disturbance (more or less than 6 to 7 h of sleep), time spent on Facebook (≥5 h per day), and depression symptoms. Based on the sample in the present study, the risk of Facebook addiction (as assessed using the BFAS) appears to be a significant issue among Bangladeshi students, and depression to be one of the main comorbid factors.