Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine associations between displayed depression symptoms on Facebook and self-reported
depression symptoms using a clinical screen. Public Facebook profiles of undergraduates from two universities were examined
for displayed depression references. Profiles were categorized as depression symptom displayers or non-displayers. Participants
completed an online PHQ-9 depression scale. Analyses examined associations between PHQ-9 score and depression symptom displayers
versus non-displayers. The mean PHQ-9 score for non-displayers was 4.7 (SD = 4.0), the mean PHQ-9 score for depression symptom
displayers was 6.4 (SD = 5.1; p = 0.018). A trend approaching significance was noted that participants who scored into a depression category by their PHQ-9
score were more likely to display depression symptom references. Displayed references to depression symptoms were associated
with self-reported depression symptoms.
depression symptoms using a clinical screen. Public Facebook profiles of undergraduates from two universities were examined
for displayed depression references. Profiles were categorized as depression symptom displayers or non-displayers. Participants
completed an online PHQ-9 depression scale. Analyses examined associations between PHQ-9 score and depression symptom displayers
versus non-displayers. The mean PHQ-9 score for non-displayers was 4.7 (SD = 4.0), the mean PHQ-9 score for depression symptom
displayers was 6.4 (SD = 5.1; p = 0.018). A trend approaching significance was noted that participants who scored into a depression category by their PHQ-9
score were more likely to display depression symptom references. Displayed references to depression symptoms were associated
with self-reported depression symptoms.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s11414-011-9258-7
- Authors
- Megan Andreas Moreno, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Adolescent Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 2,870 University Ave, Suite 200, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Dimitri A. Christakis, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, PO Box 5371, Seattle, WA 98145-5005, USA
- Katie G. Egan, School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1,675 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA
- Lauren A. Jelenchick, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Adolescent Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 2,870 University Ave, Suite 200, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Elizabeth Cox, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Adolescent Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 2,870 University Ave, Suite 200, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Henry Young, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Hope Villiard, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Adolescent Medicine, University of Wisconsin, 2,870 University Ave, Suite 200, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Tara Becker, Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Journal The Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research
- Online ISSN 1556-3308
- Print ISSN 1094-3412