Perceived social support, subjective well-being, coping styles, personality traits, and social media addiction among patients with depression

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a debilitating and commonly prevalent mental health condition that impacts around 5% of the global population. It is recognised as one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Understanding the factors that influence the severity and progression of MDD, such as perceived social support, subjective well-being, coping mechanisms, personality traits, and social media addiction, can help enhance the development of effective treatment and prevention strategies.

AIM

To analyse the relationship between perceived social supports, subjective well-being, coping styles, personality traits, and social media addiction among adult patients with MDD, and compare these factors with those of adult patients with MDD who are in remission.

METHODS

All participants aged 18 to 60 years who were attending the adult psychiatry outpatient department were initially screened for eligibility. The investigator has obtained informed consent. The participants were divided into two groups: The study group [Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) score > 7] and the comparator group (HAM-D score ≤ 7). Standardised assessment tools, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, World Health Organization-5 Wellbeing Index, Brief COPE Inventory, HAM-D, Social Networking Addiction Scale (SNAS), and Personality Inventory for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Brief Form, were applied to all the participants in both groups.

RESULTS

A total of 140 patients were recruited in the study (70 symptomatic and 70 in remission). Patients who were in remission showed significantly higher mean Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support scores (48.70 ± 11.01) as compared to symptomatic patients (33.00 ± 15.37). The World Health Organization wellbeing was significantly lower in symptomatic patients (7.93 ± 1.75) as compared with those who were in remission (13.90 ± 1.61). The mean SNAS scores were higher in symptomatic patients (72.37 ± 19.83) compared to patients in remission (67.03 ± 28.09). Problem-focused coping showed a significant negative correlation with SNAS scores (r = -0.334, P = 0.005) and HAM-D scores (r = -0.273, P = 0.022). Among personality trait domains, disinhibition had a strong positive and significant correlation (r = 0.515, P < 0.001) with SNAS scores. Detachment and psychoticism were significantly higher in symptomatic patients. In social media addiction, tolerance, withdrawal, and relapse were significantly higher in symptomatic patients in comparison to those in remission.

CONCLUSION

This research emphasises the rising importance of digital behaviour patterns among psychiatric groups. More screen time and problematic social media use were linked to depression symptoms and reduced psychosocial functioning. Adding behavioural interventions that focus on digital hygiene, improving coping skills, and re-engaging social abilities could serve as useful complements to conventional drug and therapy approaches.

Keywords: Major depressive disorder; Perceived social support; Coping styles; Social media addiction; Subjective well-being; Personality traits

Core Tip: The perceived social support is significantly higher among patients of depression who are in remission than those who are symptomatic. The symptomatic patients with major depressive disorder have higher social networking use than those in remission. Social networking addiction has a significant positive correlation with disinhibition personality traits. Social networking addiction has a significant negative correlation with problem-focused coping strategies.