DEPRESSION AND SOCIAL MEDIA USE AMONG MIDDLE AGED AND OLDER U.S. ADULTS

Abstract

AbstractThe growth of social media (SM) use is evident in the middle age and older adults, and its association with mental well-being remains unclear. This study used data from the third wave of the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States to examine SM use and its association with depression to answer whether the presence of past year depressive episode can be predicted from SM contact. This study surveyed 3,294 adults ages 35 and above about their frequency of SM use to contact friends or family and depression. SM use was assessed by self-reported time with eight responses, ranging from 1= “several times a day” to 8= “never or hardly ever.” Depression was assessed using self-report of past 12 months’ depressive episode. Logistic regressions were performed. The weighted sample was 54.9% female and 89.5% White. Accounting for baseline depression and other important potential confounders, this study did not demonstrate that frequency of social media use to contact friends and family predict depressive episodes, as opposed to other studies done on a young adult cohort. Results were robust to all sensitivity analyses. SM use is not associated with increased depression. Given the proliferation of SM, further studies should look at the possibility of social media use in offering middle age and older adults a medium to connect and engage, develop a sense of community and possibly offset the risk of depression and isolation.