title: The effect of social networking sites on the relationship between perceived social support and depression.
abstract: This study examined whether Social Networking Sites (SNSs) have a negative moderator effect on the established relationship between perceived social support and depression in psychiatric inpatients. Survey instruments assessing for depression, perceived social support, and SNS use, were filled out by 301 psychiatric inpatients. Additional data on age, gender, and primary psychiatric diagnosis were collected. A step-wise multiple regression analysis was performed to determine significant interactions. There was no significant interaction of SNS use on the relationship between perceived social support and depression when measured by Social Media Use Integration Scale or by hours of SNS use per day. There was a significant negative relationship between perceived social support and depression, and a significant positive relationship between hours of SNS use per day and depression, measured by the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Limitations include a gender discrepancy among participants, generalizability, recall bias, and SNS measurement. This is the first study to look at SNS use and depression in psychiatric inpatients. SNS use did not affect perceived social support or the protective relationship between perceived social support and depression. Hours of SNS use per day were correlated with depression scores. Future studies between SNS use and depression should quantify daily SNS use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, The University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD, USA. Electronic address: mcdougall157@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Matthew A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: McDougall
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, The University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, The University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD, USA.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wattier
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, The University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD, USA.
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Knigge
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, The University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD, USA.
authors.forename: Lindsey
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, The University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD, USA.
authors.forename: Michalene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stevermer
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, The University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD, USA.
authors.forename: Bruce S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Fogas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D061108:Social Media; D060756:Social Networking; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult