Presenter
Jadyn Torres
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
2025
Abstract
While studies suggest social media use may increase the risk of poor mental health, few studies have examined how the ways in which college students use social media may play a role in this risk. A prospective cohort study (N=586) of college students who own iPhones at a higher education institution in the northeast US was conducted with five follow-up visits in October 2021 through March 2022. Social media uses were assessed using the Social Networking Sites Usage & Needs Scale, measuring five different domains: diversion, cognitive, affective, personal integration, and social integration. Time lagged, generalized estimating equations (GEE) models were used to examine the association between each domain score and subsequent depression while controlling for sexual and gender identity, age, race/ethnicity, social status, social support, and sleep problems. Median (IQR) domain scores at baseline were 15 (14-17) for diversion, 16 (15-17) for cognitive, 13 (10-16) for affective, 13 (11-15) for personal integration, and 20 (18-21) for social integration. Several domains were associated with increased relative risk of depression, including diversion: 1.05 (95%CI: 1.02,1.07), personal integration: 1.02 (95%CI: 1.00,1.04), and social integration: 1.02 (95%CI: 1.00,1.05). Conclusions suggest that mental health harms of social media may be dependent upon how it is used. Those using social media for cognitive or affective needs may be at lower risk for depression than for other needs.
Faculty Mentor
Samantha Rosenthal, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Academic Discipline
College of Arts & Sciences; College of Health & Wellness
Repository Citation
Torres, Jadyn and Oliveira, Lilly, "Social Media and Depression in College Students" (2025). Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium. 188.
https://scholarsarchive.jwu.edu/innov_symposium/188
