Differences in Perceived Depression across Levels of Social Media Usage
This study investigates the relationship between social media usage and depressive symptoms. The study comprised 222 participants and depressive symptoms were measured by the PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire–9). No significant association was found between daily social media use and depressive symptom severity (F(4, 202) = 0.427, p = .789), despite a slight nonsignificant upward trend in depression scores among heavier users. However, age proved a significant predictor. Young adults aged 16-20 reported markedly higher depression scores (M = 10.38, SD = 6.41) compared to those aged 21-25 (M = 6.92, SD = 4.90), with the difference being statistically significant (p = .002). Recommendations include digital literacy, emotional regulation, and mindful social media use.
