The differential effects of social media on depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among the younger and older population during COVID-19: Population-based cross-sectional survey study.

BACKGROUND Social media has become a ubiquitous part of daily life during the COVID-19 isolation. However, the role of social media use in depression and suicidal ideation of the general public remains unclear. Related empirical studies were limited and reported inconsistent findings. Little is known about the potential underlying mechanisms that may illustrate the relationship between social media use and depression/suicidal ideation during COVID-19. OBJECTIVE This study tested the mediation effects of social loneliness and post-traumatic stress (PTSD symptoms) on the relationship between social media use and depressive symptoms/suicidal ideation and the moderation effect of age on the mediation models. METHODS We administered a population-based random telephone survey in May and June 2020 when infection control measures were being vigorously implemented in Hong Kong. 1070 adults (658 social media users and 412 non-users) completed the survey. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and multigroup SEM were conducted to test the mediation and moderation effects. RESULTS The weighted prevalence of probable depression was 11.6%; 1.6% had suicidal ideation in the past two weeks. Both moderated mediation models of depressive symptoms (χ2(df)=335.34(62), p .05). The indirect effects via PTSD symptoms were statistically significant among younger (β=.02, p=.04) and older people (β=.03, p=.01). Social loneliness was not a significant mediator between social media use and suicidal ideation among neither younger nor older people (p>.05). CONCLUSIONS Social media may be a 'double-edged sword' for psycho-social well-being during COVID-19 and its roles vary across age groups. The mediators identified in this study can be addressed by psychological interventions to prevent severe mental health problems during and after COVID-19. CLINICALTRIAL