Symposia
Technology
Simone I. Boyd, M.A.
Rutgers University
Somerset, New Jersey
Saskia L. Jorgensen, PhD
Lab Coordinator
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Adia Moore
Undergraduate Student
Rutgers University
Piscataway, New Jersey
Alea Watson
Undergraduate Student
Rutgers University
Piscataway, New Jersey
Jessica L. Hamilton, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Rutgers
Piscataway, New Jersey
Background: Social media provides functional affordances for developmental tasks that are salient to adolescents. However, it is unclear whether certain functions are more strongly associated with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation (SI) in teens. The current study examined the associations between perceived importance of social media functions and depressive symptoms and SI in teens.
Method: A sample of 4,526 adolescents (12-17; Mage = 14.6) completed a survey on perceived importance of social media affordances, depressive symptoms, and SI. The sample was considerably diverse and nationally representative in regard to racial identity (White = 67.2%, Black = 15.2%, American Indian, Asian Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander = 3.7%, Asian = 4.8%, Multiracial = 4.7%, Other/Preferred Not to Answer = 4.5%) and gender identity (Cisgender Female = 46.4%, Cisgender Male = 52.3%, Transgender or Non-Binary= 1.2%, Preferred Not to Answer = 0.2%). Perceived importance of social media functions were measured using the Adolescent Digital Technology Interactions (ADTI) scale, which includes three subscales of bridging (online and offline experiences), identity experience (going outside one’s identity or offline experience), and social connection. Teens reported depressive symptoms and SI on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).
Results: A series of multiple linear and logistic regression models were conducted with depressive symptoms and SI as outcomes. Age, race, gender, and three ADTI functions were included as predictors. Age (β = -0.03), bridging (β = -0.08) and identity experience (β = 0.59) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms (p's < .01), whereas age (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.88 – 0.98), identity explore (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.20 – 1.24), and social connection (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.89 – 0.94) were significantly associated with suicidal ideation.
Discussion: Results from the current study demonstrate variability in the associations between social media functions and depressive symptoms and SI in teens. While greater engagement in social connection and bridging on and offline experiences were associated with lower severity depressive symptoms and SI, greater engagement in functions related to going outside one’s identity or offline experience was associated with greater severity of depressive symptoms and occurrence of SI. These findings highlight that the ways in which adolescents use social media have the potential to exacerbate and buffer negative mental health outcomes.