An Assessment of The Interaction Between Studying Pharmacy, Problematic Use of Social Media and Depression.

Abstract

Objectives. Social media applications are widely used across different age groups and communities. Problematic use of social media (PMSU) is associated with depression among university students. There is a lack of data regarding the effect of studying pharmacy on the association between PMSU and depression as compared to other university disciplines.

Methods. A cross sectional study using an online survey that recruited university students from different disciplines. PMSU was measured using Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS). Depression was assessed using patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).

Results. Data from 105 participants were collected with an average age of 19.88 SD=2.10 years. Forty-seven participants (44.8%) reported depression. Pharmacy students reported lower prevalence of depression as compared to other disciplines (35.7% and 62.9%; respectively). Social media addiction score (OR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.01-1.12) and pharmacy discipline (OR: 0.2; 95%: 0.02-0.66) were identified as independent predictors of depression. The extent of PMSU was similar between pharmacy and non-pharmacy students (49.8 and 52.7; respectively).

Conclusion. Studying pharmacy may have a differential effect on the association between PMSU and the development of depression among undergraduate university students.