Association between subjective social status and facets of depression self-stigma

Individuals with depressive symptoms frequently experience stigma, which may lower self-esteem and increase social withdrawal, further exacerbating symptoms. The association between depressive symptoms and subjective social status (SSS; perceived standing within one's community) have previously been identified. However, no work has connected the constructs of SSS and self-stigma among people with depression. Participants (N = 230) who screened positive for current major depressive episode via a self-report completed an online survey. A significant negative association between SSS and overall stigma (p = .024) was observed, which was largely explained by general self-stigma (p = .016) and stigmatizing experiences (p = .015) subscales. The results offer preliminary evidence that SSS may be associated with negative social consequences of stigmatizing health conditions.     

Risk-Taking Behavior and Suicidality: The Unique Role of Adolescent Drug Use

Research has supported an association between suicidal thoughts/behaviors and risk taking, which may be particularly strong during adolescence when risk taking is known to increase. However, extant research has focused on individual risk-taking behaviors (e.g., alcohol use), limiting our ability to evaluate the unique association between different risk-taking behaviors and suicidal thoughts/behaviors. The current study aimed to fill this gap by examining the simultaneous influence of multiple risk-taking behaviors (i.e., risky sexual behavior, tobacco/alcohol use, illicit drug use, delinquent behavior, violent behavior) on adolescent suicidal thoughts/behaviors. Data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health was utilized. The sample consisted of 4,834 adolescents who completed home interviews at two time points. At the first time point, participants’ mean age was 15.15, with 48% (n = 2,315) identifying as male. Participants provided information about suicidal thoughts/behaviors and multiple risk-taking behaviors at an initial interview and at a second interview, approximately 11 months later. When independently examined, nearly all assessed risk-taking behaviors were independently associated with suicidal ideation concurrently and prospectively, and with suicide attempts concurrently. When all risk-taking behaviors were examined simultaneously, illicit drug use was the only significant concurrent and significant prospective, albeit negative, predictor of suicidal thoughts and only concurrent predictor of suicidal behavior. The current findings suggest that illicit drug use may have a stronger association with suicidal thoughts and behaviors than other risk-taking behavior. These findings have implications for prevention and intervention programs for adolescents.     

Adolescents' and their friends' health-risk behavior: factors that alter or add to peer influence

OBJECTIVE: To examine models of risk for adolescent health-risk behavior, including family dysfunction, social acceptance, and depression as factors that may compound or mitigate the associations between adolescents' and peers' risk behavior. METHODS: Participants were 527 adolescents in grades 9-12. Adolescents reported on their substance use (cigarette and marijuana use, heavy episodic drinking), violent behavior (weapon carrying, physical fighting), suicidality (suicidal ideation and attempts), and the health-risk behavior of their friends. RESULTS: Adolescents' substance use, violence, and suicidal behavior were related to their friends' substance use, deviance, and suicidal behaviors, respectively. Friends' prosocial behavior was negatively associated with adolescent violence and substance use. Family dysfunction, social acceptance, and depression altered the magnitude of association between peers' and adolescents' risk behavior. In cumulative risk factor models, rates of adolescent health-risk behavior increased twofold with each added risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: Results supported both additive and multiplicative models of risk. Implications for intervention and primary prevention are discussed.     

Changes in loneliness during middle childhood predict risk for adolescent suicidality indirectly through mental health problems

We investigated whether changes in loneliness during middle childhood as well as from middle childhood into adolescence were associated with adolescent self-harm behaviors and suicidal thoughts using a community sample of 889 participants. Multivariate logistic regressions indicate that the relationship between changes in loneliness and suicidality is no longer statistically significant once depression and externalizing behavior problems are included as controls. Follow-up analyses indicate that increases in loneliness indirectly affect self-harm behaviors and suicidal thoughts through depression and externalizing behavior problems. These findings are consistent with other studies on peer relationships and adolescent suicidality, suggesting that experiences with peers indirectly affect risk for suicidality through mental health problems. These findings highlight the importance of considering how experiences in middle childhood peer relationships affect risk for suicide in consecutive developmental periods, particularly adolescence.     

Preliminary Associations among Relational Victimization,Targeted Rejection,and Suicidality in Adolescents: A Prospective Study

This study examined associations between multiple types of interpersonal and noninterpersonal stressors and the subsequent occurrence of suicide ideation and attempts among female adolescents. Adolescents ages 12 to 18 years old (n = 160) at elevated risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors were followed for 18 months, divided into two 9-month epochs for data analysis (Periods 1 and 2). Exposure to acute relational victimization, targeted rejection, nonspecified interpersonal, and noninterpersonal life stressors over the first 9-month epoch (Period 1) was assessed using semistructured interviews and an independent life stress rating team. Participants also completed phone-based semistructured interviews of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Preliminary analyses showed significant prospective associations between acute targeted rejection and nonspecified interpersonal stress during Period 1 and suicide ideation during Period 2, as well as relational victimization and noninterpersonal stress during Period 1 and suicide attempts during Period 2. However, in logistic regression analyses that adjusted for prior suicidality and depressive symptoms, relational victimization during Period 1 (but not targeted rejection, nonspecified interpersonal or noninterpersonal events) was associated with increased odds of suicide attempt during Period 2. Therefore, acute relational victimization exposure is associated with heightened risk for suicidal behaviors in female adolescents. Future studies should examine potential mediators and moderators of this association, and these stressors should be considered for inclusion in clinical screening tools.     

Factors associated with suicidal behaviour among depressed patients in Penang,Malaysia

Introduction

This study aims to highlight the factors associated with suicidal behavior among patients with depressive disorders.

Material and methods

A retrospective (Jan 2002 – Dec 2007) evaluation of medical records was done at the psychiatric clinic at the Penang (Malaysia) Public Hospital. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science SPSS version 13^®. Chi-square (χ²) test was used to assess the association among variables. Odds ratios were calculated. Multiple logistic regression was applied to identify the predictors for suicidal behavior.

Results

Of 298 patients, 99 patients reported having thoughts of suicide. Overall, female respondents, particularly Chinese, constituted the majority reporting suicidal thoughts (p = 0.01). Cigarette (p < 0.01) and alcohol use (p < 0.01) were found to be associated with suicidal ideation. Among patients with medical comorbidities, diabetics were at a high risk for suicidal thoughts (odds ratio – OR = 1.05, 95% confidence interval – CI 0.45-2.46). In terms of social problems, marital and relationship difficulties were the main risk factors (OR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.16-3.58). The significant predictors for suicidal behavior were found to be smoking and alcohol use (adjusted R² = 0.39, F change = 75.55, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Chinese females were found at higher risk of suicidal ideation, as were smokers and alcohol users. The elderly aged 50 and over were also at a higher risk, followed by adolescents and youths aged 15-24 years. Comorbid medical complications and social problems were other factors that may contribute to suicidal ideation among the patients with depressive disorders.     

Now I lay me down for keeps: A study of adolescent suicide attempts

From a nationwide study of 830 white, emotionally disturbed adolesceents, ages 12 to 18, three samples were selected for study. One consisted of all boys (N = 31) and girls (N = 67) referred for treatment after suicide at tempts. The second included those boys (N = 7) and girls (N = 22) referred for suicidal thoughts and threats, as well as suicide attempts. The third was comprised of those boys (N = 13) and girls (N = 12) referred for suicidal thoughts and threats, but who had made no known suicide attempts. Both self-and psychotherapist ratings on 1,250 variables were examined by comparing the endorsement rates for boys and girls in each criterion group separately with those of the remaining sample of disturbed adolescents who had Not been referred for suicidal behavior. Our results confirm some past findings and introduce a large number of new correlates of adolescent suicidal behavior. They indicate that there is little difference between teenagers who attempt suicide and those who think about it or threaten it. The findings also highlight the necessity of studying the sexes separately.     

Psychological Resources as Mediators of the Association Between Social Class and Health: Comparative Findings from Japan and the USA

Background

Recently, researchers have proposed that psychological resources might be key concept in explaining the association between social class and health. However, empirical examinations of the extent to which psychological resources to social class in health are still few.

Purpose

This study investigated mediating effects of selected psychological resources (sense of control, self-esteem, optimism, and neuroticism) on the association of social class [education and subjective social status (SSS)] with current health status (self-rated health and the number of chronic conditions).

Method

This sample consisted of 1,805 Americans (818 males and 987 females) from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) survey, 2004–2006 and 1,027 Japanese (505 males and 522 females) from the Midlife in Japan (MIDJA) survey in Tokyo, Japan, 2008–2010. Information on social class, psychological resources, and health status was obtained using telephone interviews or written questionnaires.

Results

A mediation analysis was conducted separately for males and females in Japan and the USA. Neuroticism significantly mediated the association of education and SSS with self-rated health and chronic conditions among males and females in both countries, with one exception (not for chronic conditions among Japanese females). Sense of control significantly mediated the association of education and SSS with self-rated health among males and females in both countries. As hypothesized, self-esteem significantly mediated almost all of the associations of education and SSS with self-rated health and chronic conditions among men and women in the USA, but very few such associations in Japan. Optimism significantly mediated most associations of social class and health status in both countries, but only among females.

Conclusions

Overall, the findings underscore important culture- and gender specificity in the ways in which psychosocial resources mediate the links between social class and health.     

Suicidality and sleep disturbances

STUDY OBJECTIVES: A growing body of research indicates that sleep disturbances may be specifically linked to suicidal behaviors. It remains unclear, however, whether this link is largely explained by depressive symptoms. The present study investigated the relationship between suicidality, depression, and sleep complaints in a clinical outpatient setting. DESIGN AND SETTING: Upon admission, 176 outpatients completed measures on sleep disturbances, suicidal symptoms, and depression. Several sleep disturbances were evaluated with regard to suicidal ideation, including insomnia, nightmares, and sleep-related breathing symptoms. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Regression analyses revealed that insomnia and nightmare symptoms were associated with both depressive symptoms and suicidality. Sleep-related breathing symptoms were associated with depressive symptoms, but did not show an association with suicidal ideation. After controlling for depressive symptoms, only nightmares demonstrated an association with suicidal ideation. This relationship emerged as a nonsignificant trend (P = .06). Nightmares were particularly associated with suicidality among women compared with men. Posthoc analyses revealed that, after controlling for sex and depressive symptoms, nightmare symptoms were significantly associated with suicidality (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Although insomnia and nightmares were significantly associated with depressive and suicidal symptoms, after controlling for additional variables, such as depression and sex, only nightmares remained associated with suicidality. This association was slightly stronger among women compared with men.     

The reasons for living inventory and a college population: adolescent suicidal behaviors, beliefs, and coping skills

The suicidal behavior of a college population (N = 205) was assessed. Individuals were categorized into four groups: never suicidal, brief suicidal ideation, serious suicidal ideation, and parasuicidal. They also answered questions about why they would not choose suicide, on the Reasons For Living (RFL) Inventory. Depression, hopelessness, and social desirability scales also were presented. A significant difference existed between suicidal and nonsuicidal individuals on the RFL. Hopelessness and depression were found to be correlated significantly with suicidal behavior; social desirability was found to be high among those who were not suicidal and declined as suicidal behaviors became more severe.     

Association of Subjective and Objective Socioeconomic Status with Subjective Mental Health and Mental Disorders Among Japanese Men and Women

Background

An inverse association between socioeconomic status (SES) and mental health has been previously well reported, but the evidence is limited in Asian populations.

Purpose

We therefore investigated the association of SES and subjective mental health and prevalence of any mental disorders in the general population of Japan.

Method

We used data from the World Mental Health Japan Survey of 1,496 randomly selected people aged 20 years and older in Japan. Information on education level and household income were used as objective SES indicators, and subjective social status (SSS) was measured by responses to a question regarding social position. We calculated odds ratios of SES indicators for poor subjective mental health and 12-month prevalence of any mental disorders.

Results

The adjusted odds ratio (OR) (95 % confidence interval (CI)) of respondents who rated themselves as lower than middle status in the country (low SSS group) for poor subjective mental health was 2.24 (95 % CI: 1.41, 3.57) with reference to those who rated themselves as higher than middle status (high SSS group). Similarly, inverse associations of education level and household income with poor subjective mental health were identified. A J-shaped association was confirmed between SSS and 12-month prevalence of any mental disorders. The adjusted OR (95 % CI) of SSS for any mental diseases was 0.53 (95 % CI: 0.32, 0.86) for the middle SSS group and 1.61 (95 % CI: 0.96, 2.72) for the low SSS group, compared with the high SSS group. Those associations were not attenuated when objective SES indicators were adjusted.

Conclusion

We found inversely linear associations between subjective and objective SES and poor subjective mental health among Japanese men and women. SSS was not significantly associated with 12-month prevalence of any mental disorders. Substantial social inequalities in mental health were identified in Japan, which has been considered an egalitarian society with relatively few inequalities in health.     

Gender differences in associations between depressive symptoms and patterns of substance use and risky sexual behavior among a nationally representative sample of U.S. adolescents

Summary Objective: This study uses a cluster analysis of adolescents, based on their substance use and sexual risk behaviors, to 1) examine associations between risk behavior patterns and depressive symptoms, stratified by gender, and 2) examine gender differences in risk for depression. Methods: Data are from a nationally representative survey of over 20,000 U.S. adolescents. Logistic regression was used to examine the associations between 16 risk behavior patterns and current depressive symptoms by gender. Results: Compared to abstention, involvement in common adolescent risk behaviors (drinking, smoking, and sexual intercourse) was associated with increased odds of depressive symptoms in both sexes. However, sex differences in depressive symptoms vary by risk behavior pattern. There were no differences in odds for depressive symptoms between abstaining male and female adolescents (OR = 1.07, 95% CI 0.70–1.62). There were also few sex differences in odds of depressive symptoms within the highest-risk behavior profiles. Among adolescents showing light and moderate risk behavior patterns, females experienced significantly more depressive symptoms than males. Conclusions: Adolescents who engage in risk behaviors are at increased risk for depressive symptoms. Girls engaging in low and moderate substance use and sexual activity experience more depressive symptoms than boys with similar behavior. Screening for depression is indicated for female adolescents engaging in even experimental risk behaviors.     

Protective associations of importance of religion and frequency of service attendance with depression risk, suicidal behaviours and substance use in adolescents in Nova Scotia, Canada

Purpose

We examined relationships of measures of personal importance of religion and frequency of attendance at religious services with risk of depression and risk behaviours in high school students in Cape Breton, Canada. We examined the impact of confounding and explanatory factors on these relationships.

Methods

Data were drawn from self-report surveys of adolescents aged 15-19 (N = 1615) at three high schools in May, 2006. We used logistic regression to assess associations of religious importance and religious service attendance with risk of depression, suicidal behaviour, binge drinking and frequent marijuana use, controlling in multivariate models for sociodemographic factors, family structure and social capital.

Results

Among females, higher personal importance of religion was associated with decreased odds of depression, suicidal ideation, drinking and marijuana use, while more religious attendance was protective for substance use behaviours and suicidal ideation. In males, both measures of religiosity were associated with decreased substance use. In multivariate models, religious importance had weak protective effects for depression and suicidal thinking in females, which were respectively modified by social trust and substance use. Attendance was protective for suicidal thinking in females, and was modified by depression. These associations were not seen in males. Attendance was consistently associated with less substance use in females, while importance was not. Importance was consistently protective for marijuana use and attendance was protective for binge drinking in males.

Limitations

This was a cross-sectional self-report survey and causality cannot be inferred.

Conclusion

Protective associations of measures of religiosity are seen in Canadian adolescents, as they are elsewhere.     

Case control and family‐based studies of tryptophan hydroxylase gene A218C polymorphism and suicidality in adolescents

The association of suicidality with polymorphism A218C in intron 7 of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) gene remains controversial. The aim of this study was to use family‐based methods to examine this association in adolescents in order to eliminate the difficulty of sampling a control group from the same ethnic population. Eighty‐eight inpatient adolescents who recently attempted suicide were assessed by structured interview for detailed clinical history, diagnoses, suicide intent, suicide risk, impulsivity, aggression, and depression. DNA samples were collected from all subjects, from both biological parents of 40 subjects and from one parent of 9 subjects; TPH allele frequencies were calculated and tested for association to phenotype, stratified by severity, using the haplotype relative risk (HRR) and transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) methods (n = 49). The frequencies were also compared for all the Jewish subjects (n = 84) to the known frequencies of these alleles in healthy Jewish populations. There was no significant allelic association of A218C polymorphism with suicidal behavior or other phenotypic measures according to the HRR method (chi‐square = 0.094; P = 0.76), the TDT (chi‐square = 0.258; P = 0.61), or association analysis to known population frequencies (chi‐square = 1.667, P = 0.19 for Ashkenazi, and chi‐square = 0.810, P = 0.37 for non‐Ashkenazi). Analysis of variance with the Scheffè test demonstrated a significant difference between CC and AA genotypes in suicide risk and depression among the patients (n = 88). The findings suggest that polymorphism A218C has no major relevance to the pathogenesis of adolescent suicidal behavior, but may have a subtle effect on some related phenotypes. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Implicit Identification with Death Predicts Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Adolescents

Prior research indicates that adults’ implicit identification with death can be used to predict suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) in the community. However, no studies have examined whether this effect is found among adolescents—a group for whom suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death. The current study tested the utility of implicit identification with death, using a Death Implicit Association Test (IAT), for detecting and predicting STBs in adolescents. Participants were 141 adolescents 12–19 years of age (81.6% female, 74.5% White) with a current psychiatric disorder and/or currently receiving outpatient psychiatric treatment. All participants completed the Death IAT and self-report measures of STBs at baseline, as well as self-report measures of STBs at 6-month and 1-year follow-ups. At baseline, stronger implicit identification with death (higher Death IAT score) was related to greater suicide ideation (SI) frequency, severity, and duration, but did not differ based on suicide attempt history. Prospectively, higher Death IAT scores predicted any occurrence (but not frequency) of SI over the subsequent year, but not when controlling for prior SI. Death IAT scores were higher among adolescents with prior attempts who reattempted suicide over the follow-up. Examination of stimuli-level results suggested that Death IAT differences may be driven by responses on trials with specific words, including suicide and die. Implicit identification with death may be a useful behavioral indicator of suicide risk in adolescents. Preliminary findings suggest that the Death IAT may aid in predicting STBs among youth receiving outpatient treatment.     

Correlates of self‐harm behaviour in acutely ill patients with schizophrenia

Objective. This study compared acutely ill patients with schizophrenia with a history of self‐harm (N=17) to those without a history of self‐harm (N=16) on measures of depression, hopelessness, suicidal ideation, and demographic and psychiatric variables. A subgroup of these patients who experience auditory hallucinations, with and without a history of self‐harm, were selected and compared on measures of depression, hopelessness, suicidal ideation and beliefs about voices. Design. Employing a cross‐sectional design, in‐patients of two local psychiatric hospital, who met DSM‐IV‐TR criteria for schizophrenia and who were in an acute phase of the illness, were selected. Method. Each patient was assessed using the Beck Depressions Inventory (BDI), Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) and the Beck Suicide Scale (BSS). Patients who experienced auditory verbal hallucinations completed the Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire Revised (BAVQ‐R). Patients with a history of self‐harm completed the Beck Suicide Intent Scale (BSI). Results. Patients with a history of self‐harm (N=17) had significantly greater symptoms of depression, greater suicidal thoughts, increased number of hospital admissions, greater duration of illness and were more likely to be married, compared to patients without a history of self‐harm (N=16). Among the subgroup of patients who experience auditory hallucinations, those with a history of self‐harm (N=9), believed their voice to be more malevolent, had a tendency to resist their voice and experienced significantly greater symptoms of depression and hopelessness compared to those without a history of self‐harm (N=6). Conclusions. These findings highlight the importance for screening by clinicians during inpatient hospital stays and for monitoring to be ongoing following discharge. For the subgroup of patients who experience auditory hallucinations, future research should seek to explore the relationship between self‐harm and beliefs about voices.     

Suicidal behaviour in adolescence and subsequent mental health outcomes in young adulthood

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the linkages between suicidal ideation and attempt in adolescence and subsequent suicidal behaviours and mental health in young adulthood. METHOD: Data were gathered during the course of a 25-year longitudinal study of a birth cohort of 1265 New Zealand children. The information collected included: (a) measures of suicidal thoughts and attempts in adolescence (< 18 years); (b) measures of suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, major depression, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders in young adulthood (18-25 years); and (c) measures of childhood and family background, individual characteristics, and mental disorders in adolescence. RESULTS: After statistical adjustment for confounding factors, suicide attempt in adolescence was associated with increased risks of subsequent suicidal ideation (OR 5.7) suicide attempt (OR 17.8) and major depression (OR 1.5). Those reporting suicidal ideation without suicide attempt showed moderate increases in risks of later suicidal ideation (OR 2.5), suicide attempt (OR 2.0) and major depression (OR 1.6). In addition, there was evidence of an interactive relationship in which suicidal behaviour in adolescence was associated with increased risks of later substance use disorders in females but not males. CONCLUSIONS: Young people reporting suicidal ideation or making a suicide attempt are an at-risk population for subsequent suicidal behaviour and depression. Further research is needed into the reasons for suicidal adolescent females being at greater risk of later substance use disorder.     

Risk behaviors,suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in a nationally representative French sample

Background

Data from large nationally representative samples are needed to provide the empirical foundation to inform health policies for the prevention of suicide risk and risk behaviors in men and women.

Methods

Data were extracted from the 2010 Health Barometer, a large telephone survey on a representative sample of the general population aged 15–85 years living in France (n=27,653), carried out by the National Institute for Health Promotion and Health Education. Data were collected between October 2009 and July 2010. A computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) system was used.

Results

Overall, 3.9% of respondents aged 15 to 85 reported past year suicidal ideation, and 0.5% reported a suicide attempt in that time period. Increased rates of risky sexual behavior are associated with ideation and attempt in both men and women, after controlling for sociodemographic variables. Homosexuality or bisexuality are associated with suicidal ideation for both men and women, but not with attempts. Substance misuse, physical and sexual assaults are strongly associated with suicidal symptoms for both men and women. Early first experiences with sex, tobacco, and alcohol are associated with suicidal symptoms though somewhat differentially for men and women.

Limitations

Cross-sectional survey.

Conclusion

The findings underscore associations between suicidal thoughts and behaviors and risk behaviors such as unprotected sex and substance use in men and women throughout the lifespan. These associations highlight the need for preventive strategies such as screening for risk behaviors in order to identify men and women particularly at risk for suicidal behavior.     

Early Initiation of Alcohol Drinking, Cigarette Smoking, and Sexual Intercourse Linked to Suicidal Ideation and Attempts: Findings from the 2006 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Purpose

This study examined the association between early initiation of problem behaviors (alcohol drinking, cigarette smoking, and sexual intercourse) and suicidal behaviors (suicidal ideation and suicide attempts), and explored the effect of concurrent participation in these problem behaviors on suicidal behaviors among Korean adolescent males and females.

Materials and Methods

Data were obtained from the 2006 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a nationally representative sample of middle and high school students (32,417 males and 31,467 females) in grades seven through twelve. Bivariate and multivariate logistic analyses were conducted. Several important covariates, such as age, family living structure, household economic status, academic performance, current alcohol drinking, current cigarette smoking, current butane gas or glue sniffing, perceived body weight, unhealthy weight control behaviors, subjective sleep evaluation, and depressed mood were included in the analyses.

Results

Both male and female preteen initiators of each problem behavior were at greater risk for suicidal behaviors than non-initiators, even after controlling for covariates. More numerous concurrent problematic behaviors were correlated with greater likelihood of seriously considering or attempting suicide among both males and females. This pattern was more clearly observed in preteen than in teen initiators although the former and latter were engaged in the same frequency of problem behavior.

Conclusion

Early initiation of alcohol drinking, cigarette smoking, and sexual intercourse, particularly among preteens, represented an important predictor of later suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in both genders. Thus, early preventive intervention programs should be developed and may reduce the potential risks for subsequent suicidal behaviors.     

Social comparisons,social media addiction,and social interaction: An examination of specific social media behaviors related to major depressive disorder in a millennial population

Although studies have shown that increases in the frequency of social media use may be associated with increases in depressive symptoms of individuals with depression, the current study aimed to identify specific social media behaviors related to major depressive disorder (MDD). Millennials (N = 504) who actively use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and/or Snapchat participated in an online survey assessing major depression and specific social media behaviors. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify specific social media behaviors associated with the presence of MDD. The results identified five key social media factors associated with MDD. Individuals who were more likely to compare themselves to others better off than they were (p = 0.005), those who indicated that they would be more bothered by being tagged in unflattering pictures (p = 0.011), and those less likely to post pictures of themselves along with other people (p = 0.015) were more likely to meet the criteria for MDD. Participants following 300 + Twitter accounts were less likely to have MDD (p = 0.041), and those with higher scores on the Social Media Addiction scale were significantly more likely to meet the criteria for MDD (p = 0.031). Participating in negative social media behaviors is associated with a higher likelihood of having MDD. Research and clinical implications are considered.