Media use degree and depression: A latent profile analysis from Chinese residents

Fangmin Gong; Pei Yi; Lian Yu; Siyuan Fan; Guangze Gao; Yile Jin; Leixiao Zeng; Yang Li; Zheng Feei Ma

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1070774

Media use degree and depression: A latent profile analysis from Chinese residents

Front Psychol. 2023 Jan 17:13:1070774. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1070774. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Fangmin Gong¹, Pei Yi¹, Lian Yu², Siyuan Fan³, Guangze Gao⁴, Yile Jin⁵, Leixiao Zeng⁶, Yang Li⁷, Zheng Feei Ma⁸

Affiliations

¹ College of Literature and Journalism Communication, Jishou University, Jishou, China.
² College of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China.
³ Department of Preventive Medicine, Yanjing Medical College, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
⁴ Tongliao Clinical College, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Tongliao, China.
⁵ Baotou Clinical College, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Baotou, China.
⁶ College of Journalism and Communication, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China.
⁷ College of Communication and Art Design, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
⁸ Centre for Public Health and Wellbeing, School of Health and Social Wellbeing, College of Health, Science and Society, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom.

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have emphasized the media as an essential channel for understanding information about depression. However, they have not divided groups according to the degree of media use to study their differences in depression. Therefore, this study aims to explore the influence of media use on depression and the influencing factors of depression in people with different media use degrees.

Methods: Based on seven items related to media use, a total of 11, 031 respondents were categorized by the frequency of media use using latent profile analysis (LPA). Secondly, multiple linear regression analyzes were conducted to analyze the effects of depression in people with different degrees of media use. Finally, factors influencing depression among people with different degrees of media use were explored separately.

Results: All respondents were classified into three groups: media use low-frequency (9.7%), media use general (67.1%), and media use high-frequency (23.2%). Compared with media use general group, media use low-frequency (β = 0.019, p = 0.044) and media use high-frequency (β = 0.238, p < 0.001) groups are significantly associated with depression. The factors influencing depression in the population differed between media use low-frequency, media use general, and media use high-frequency groups.

Conclusion: The government and the appropriate departments should develop targeted strategies for improving the overall health status of people with different media use degrees.

Keywords: Big Five personality; cross-sectional study; depression; latent profile analysis; media use.