Relationship between use of social media and depression among female teenagers in Buraidah, AlQassim, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: While media use is an integral part of the daily life of teenagers, there are a number of risks associated with social media use, specifically, negative effects on mental health. Teenagers, who are regular media users, have lots of friends, get along well with their parents, and are happy at school, but lack of close friends is the strongest predictors of depression and negative self-views. Our study was based on association between social media users and depression in female teenagers in Buraydah city Qassim Reigon, K.S.A.Methods: It was cross sectional study designed to examine both exposure (social media) and disease outcome (depression) simultaneously for each subject. It was conducted among female teenagers, aged between 13-17 years in Buraydah city, which is located in the central part of Saudi Arabia, during the period of January to July 2014. Study sample; Female teenager (16-19) from high schools in Buraydah. 80 female teenagers were selected randomly. Descriptive statististics; demography, family history, use of social media, and Analytical statististics; Prevalence of depression (outcome); Association between use social media and depression were estimated.Result: The mean age in study group was 16.27 ± 1.46 years. 35% have diagnosis with depression and 48 (60%) addicted users (≥5 h/day) of social media, out of which only 20 (41.67%) had depression.Conclusion: This study showed that people, who spend a lot of time using social media, do not always have depression. Out of 48 participants who used social media more than 5 hours daily it is only 20 (41.67%) who had depression (p<0.2915 not significant).