Direct-to-consumer antidepressant ads and young adults' beliefs about depression.
This study examined the extent to which exposure to direct-to-consumer (DTC) antidepressant ads is associated with young adults' understanding of depression as a medical condition. A vignette-based questionnaire was presented to 285 college students. Among those who had not experienced depressive symptoms, high exposure to a DTC antidepressant commercial was significantly associated with recognition of depression cases and listing antidepressants as a treatment option. As their exposure to the DTC ad increased, respondents also demonstrated a more positive evaluation of antidepressant treatment. Such effects were not found, however, for those who had experienced depressive symptoms.
An
Soontae
S
A. Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, USA. soontae@ksu.edu
Jin
Hyun Seung
HS
Brown
Jane D
JD
D000329:Advertising; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054626:Consumer Health Information; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
D000928:Antidepressive Agents