Social Networking Sites, Depression, and Anxiety: A Systematic Review

Abstract

BackgroundSocial networking sites (SNSs) have become a pervasive part of modern culture, which may also affect mental health.ObjectiveThe aim of this systematic review was to identify and summarize research examining depression and anxiety in the context of SNSs. It also aimed to identify studies that complement the assessment of mental illness with measures of well-being and examine moderators and mediators that add to the complexity of this environment.MethodsA multidatabase search was performed. Papers published between January 2005 and June 2016 relevant to mental illness (depression and anxiety only) were extracted and reviewed.ResultsPositive interactions, social support, and social connectedness on SNSs were consistently related to lower levels of depression and anxiety, whereas negative interaction and social comparisons on SNSs were related to higher levels of depression and anxiety. SNS use related to less loneliness and greater self-esteem and life satisfaction. Findings were mixed for frequency of SNS use and number of SNS friends. Different patterns in the way individuals with depression and individuals with social anxiety engage with SNSs are beginning to emerge.ConclusionsThe systematic review revealed many mixed findings between depression, anxiety, and SNS use. Methodology has predominantly focused on self-report cross-sectional approaches; future research will benefit from leveraging real-time SNS data over time. The evidence suggests that SNS use correlates with mental illness and well-being; however, whether this effect is beneficial or detrimental depends at least partly on the quality of social factors in the SNS environment. Understanding these relationships will lead to better utilization of SNSs in their potential to positively influence mental health.

Annual Research Review: Adolescent mental health in the digital age: facts, fears, and future directions

“…The remaining three reviews included a mix of adults and adolescents in the sampling frame. Conclusions were consistent with those summarized for the adolescent populations above in that cross‐sectional research designs, retrospective reporting of symptoms and digital technology usage, and small and mixed patterns of associations were the norm and often limiting factors in drawing reliable conclusions in this area (Baker & Algorta, ; Seabrook et al, ). For example, in a 2016 review examining the association between frequency or time spent on SNS and depression, eight reported small positive associations, while twice as many found nonsignificant associations (Seabrook, Kern, & Rickard, ).…”

Virtual behaviors affecting adolescent mental health: The usage of Internet and mobile phone and cyberbullying

“…Researchers have reported that the use of social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, and playing game on the Internet are associated with mental health problems of adolescents such as depression, psychological distress, and suicidal ideation (Mentzoni et al, ; Pantic et al, ; Sampasa‐Kanyinga & Lewis, ; L. Y. Lin et al, ). On the contrary, there are studies showing that social media use is related with less loneliness, higher self‐esteem, and life satisfaction (Pittman & Reich, ; Seabrook, Kern, & Rickard, ). Playing games on the Internet also increases cooperation and decreases aggressiveness (Gentile, ; Greitemeyer, Agthe, Turner, & Gschwendtner, ).…”

Problematic social media use and depressive symptoms among U.S. young adults: A nationally-representative study

“…These individuals experiencing depressive symptoms may be prone to PSMU as they are to behavioral addictions such as gambling, Internet addiction, and eating disorders (Andreassen et al, 2016a; Ciccarelli et al, 2016; Korkeila, 2012; Lister et al, 2015; Rodgers et al, 2013). Another plausible scenario is that the association between PSMU and depressive symptoms is bidirectional—each influences and subsequently contributes to increases in the other (Seabrook et al, 2016). Future work involving more complex longitudinal designs would be helpful in this regard.…”