Emotional Connection to Facebook and Its Impact on Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents from Pakistan

Abstract

This correlation study investigates the association between emotional connectedness to Facebook and depressive symptoms among adolescents in Lahore, Pakistan. A sample of 300 students aged 13 to 19 (Mean age = 16.55, SD = 1.59) from government and private schools in Lahore was conveniently selected. The aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between emotional attachment to Facebook and symptoms of depression, as well as to pinpoint the demographic variables that impact this association. SPSS version 24 was used to analyse quantitative data obtained through informed consent form, demographic data sheet, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the Facebook Intensity Scale (FIS). Important research variables and demographic characteristics were summed together using descriptive statistics. After adjusting for confounders, bivariate analyses, such as regression and correlation coefficients, examined the connection between emotional connectedness to facebook and depressive symptoms. The results indicated a positive correlation (r = 0.36) between emotional connectedness to Facebook and depressive symptoms, indicating that more emotional involvement with Facebook is associated with higher levels of reported depressive symptoms among teenagers. Stepwise regression analysis revealed emotional connectedness to be a significant predictor in all models. Studies have also demonstrated the influence of an individual's gender and educational attainment on their perception of their mental health. These findings show the value of social media use in mental health therapy and highlight the necessity for more investigation to completely comprehend the intricate web of interconnected factors affecting teenagers' mental health.