Social Media as It Interfaces with Psychosocial Development and Mental Illness in Transitional Age Youth

Brian A Primack; César G Escobar-Viera

doi:10.1016/j.chc.2016.12.007

Social Media as It Interfaces with Psychosocial Development and Mental Illness in Transitional Age Youth

Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2017 Apr;26(2):217-233. doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2016.12.007.

Authors

Brian A Primack¹, César G Escobar-Viera²

Affiliations

¹ Center for Research on Media, Technology, and Health, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 230 McKee Place #600, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. Electronic address: bprimack@pitt.edu.
² Center for Research on Media, Technology, and Health, Health Policy Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, 230 McKee Place #600, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.

PMID: 28314452
DOI: 10.1016/j.chc.2016.12.007

Abstract

For transitional age individuals, social media (SM) is an integral component of connecting with others. There are 2 billion SM users worldwide. SM users may experience an increase in perceived social support and life satisfaction. Use of SM may facilitate forming connections among people with potentially stigmatizing mental disorders. However, epidemiologic studies suggest that increased SM use is associated with conditions such as depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance. Future research should examine directionality of these associations and the role of contextual factors. It also will be useful to leverage SM to provide mental health care and surveillance of mental health concerns.

Keywords: Anxiety; Cognitive neuroscience; Depression; Emotional contagion; Facebook; Sleep; Social media; Social networks.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Human Development*
Humans
Mental Disorders*
Social Media*
Young Adult