Facebook may help identify those with depression - Can Facebook help identify people who are depressed - and maybe even suicidal? - A new study from the University of Wisconsin suggests that the popular social networking website may be one tool to find those who are suffering from depression.
However, the study's researchers say Facebook should not be used as a substitute for clinical screening and medical treatment for anyone who is depressed or suicidal.
For the study, researchers at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health analyzed the Facebook profiles of 200 college sophomores and juniors. They found that 25 percent of the students showed one or more symptoms of depression — including references to decreased interest or pleasure in activities, change in appetite, sleep problems, loss of energy and feelings of guilt or worthlessness.
None of the students expressed any suicidal thoughts.
One of the most interesting developments was this: Researchers found that when students complained of depression symptoms, others in their social networks reached out to help them.
"People are getting support from other Facebook users when they display these comments, so it may be used as a mini-support group for depression," said Dr. Megan Moreno, a pediatrician at the School of Medicine and Public Health and a lead author of the study. "Given the frequency of depression symptoms displayed, it's possible that depression disclosures on Facebook may actually help to reduce the stigma around mental illness."
Although 25 percent of the students mentioned some sign of depression, only 2.5 percent of the profiles displayed enough information to warrant screening for depression, researchers found.
While Facebook should not be used to formally diagnose depression, Moreno said it may be helpful in identifying students who are thinking about suicide.
"Recent media reports indicated planned suicides that were displayed on Facebook before being carried out," she said. "This highlights the urgent need to understand how often depression is displayed on Facebook and what this may mean. Early identification of depression may be easier now if you see repeated references on Facebook."
The Wisconsin research was released on the same day that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that pediatricians and parents pay more attention to children's use of social networking sites.
The new AAP guidelines include recommendations for pediatricians to help families navigate the social media landscape, including:
However, the study's researchers say Facebook should not be used as a substitute for clinical screening and medical treatment for anyone who is depressed or suicidal.
For the study, researchers at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health analyzed the Facebook profiles of 200 college sophomores and juniors. They found that 25 percent of the students showed one or more symptoms of depression — including references to decreased interest or pleasure in activities, change in appetite, sleep problems, loss of energy and feelings of guilt or worthlessness.
None of the students expressed any suicidal thoughts.
One of the most interesting developments was this: Researchers found that when students complained of depression symptoms, others in their social networks reached out to help them.
"People are getting support from other Facebook users when they display these comments, so it may be used as a mini-support group for depression," said Dr. Megan Moreno, a pediatrician at the School of Medicine and Public Health and a lead author of the study. "Given the frequency of depression symptoms displayed, it's possible that depression disclosures on Facebook may actually help to reduce the stigma around mental illness."
Although 25 percent of the students mentioned some sign of depression, only 2.5 percent of the profiles displayed enough information to warrant screening for depression, researchers found.
While Facebook should not be used to formally diagnose depression, Moreno said it may be helpful in identifying students who are thinking about suicide.
"Recent media reports indicated planned suicides that were displayed on Facebook before being carried out," she said. "This highlights the urgent need to understand how often depression is displayed on Facebook and what this may mean. Early identification of depression may be easier now if you see repeated references on Facebook."
The Wisconsin research was released on the same day that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that pediatricians and parents pay more attention to children's use of social networking sites.
The new AAP guidelines include recommendations for pediatricians to help families navigate the social media landscape, including:
- Advise parents to talk to children and adolescents about their online use and the specific issues that today's online kids face, such as cyberbullying, sexting and difficulty managing their time.
- Advise parents to work on their own "participation gap" in their homes by becoming better educated about the many technologies their children are using.
- Discuss with families the need for a family online-use plan, with an emphasis on citizenship and healthy behavior.
- Discuss with parents the importance of supervising online activities via active participation and communication, not just via monitoring software ( latimes.com )
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