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The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research

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Open Access 01-07-2012

A Pilot Evaluation of Associations Between Displayed Depression References on Facebook and Self-reported Depression Using a Clinical Scale

Authors: Megan Andreas Moreno, MD, MSEd, MPH, Dimitri A. Christakis, MD, MPH, Katie G. Egan, BSN, Lauren A. Jelenchick, BS, Elizabeth Cox, MD, PhD, Henry Young, PhD, Hope Villiard, Tara Becker, PhD

Published in: The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research | Issue 3/2012

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.

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Title: A Pilot Evaluation of Associations Between Displayed Depression References on Facebook and Self-reported Depression Using a Clinical Scale
Authors: Megan Andreas Moreno, MD, MSEd, MPH
Dimitri A. Christakis, MD, MPH
Katie G. Egan, BSN
Lauren A. Jelenchick, BS
Elizabeth Cox, MD, PhD
Henry Young, PhD
Hope Villiard
Tara Becker, PhD
Publication date: 01-07-2012
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research / Issue 3/2012
Print ISSN: 1094-3412
Electronic ISSN: 2168-6793
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-011-9258-7

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

A Pilot Evaluation of Associations Between Displayed Depression References on Facebook and Self-reported Depression Using a Clinical Scale

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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