News: These social media behaviors are related to major depressive disorder (MDD): individuals who are more likely to compare themselves to others better off than they are (or that they think are better off than they are; social comparison), those more bothered by being tagged in unflattering pictures, and those less likely to post pictures of themselves. “Participating in negative social media behaviors [especially on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat] is associated with a higher likelihood of having MDD.”
But, social media use is not all negative for people suffering from MDD or having depressive symptoms. “Increasing social interaction, whether face-to-face or through social media, may buffer feelings of loneliness and isolation”–feelings common to depression.
It comes down to individuals understanding the positives and the negatives and then using social media accordingly.
Go to the original source — Social comparisons, social media addiction, and social interaction: An examination of specific social media behaviors related to major depressive disorder in a millennial population (Anthony Robinson, et al., Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research, 8 January 2019).
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