Depression symptoms and negative online disclosure among young adults in college: a mixed-methods approach

Abstract

Background: Social media may be novel and promising avenues to identify youth at risk for depression. Missing from prior research on youth social media use in the service of mental health is our understanding of the kinds of negative experiences young people disclose online and their associations with depression symptoms.Aims: Using a mixed-methods approach, this study: (1) examined the association between depression symptoms and online disclosure of negative emotions; (2) explored the kinds of negative experiences young adults, in their own words, disclosed online; and (3) investigated the associations between depression symptoms and the online disclosure of negative experiences.Methods: Young adults in college (N = 261; 66 males, 195 females Mage 22) completed quantitative as well as qualitative questionnaires about their Facebook content and use and about their mental health (e.g. depression symptoms). Responses were analyzed using a thematic analysis, and a series of binary logistic regression analyses, controlling for age, gender, Facebook use and self-esteem.Results: An inductive thematic analysis of 121 qualitative responses reflecting negative emotional states revealed fours themes of negative experiences: life hassles, relationships, academics and work. Binary logistic regression analyses revealed that youth who reported higher depression symptoms were two times more likely to disclose negative emotions online and were three times more likely to disclose various hassles online than their peers who reported lower symptoms. Active Facebook users were almost two times more likely than less active users to disclose negative academic experiences.Conclusions: Online disclosure of negative emotions and experiences are linked with depression symptoms. Further, online disclosure of negative experiences may also reflect normative, age-related instabilities. In sum, social media may be promising avenues to detect mental health concerns (e.g., depression) in early adulthood.