Media Use and Depression: Exposure, Household Rules, and Symptoms Among Young Adolescents

• In Event: Finding Myself, for Better or Worse: Adolescents and Media

Abstract

This study examines the longitudinal associations between media use (mobile phones, TV, computers, video games, and music) and young adolescents’ depressive symptoms and explores the potential for household media rules to reduce young people’s depression. Media use was assessed (N = 126) using survey questions, time use diaries, and Ecological Momentary Assessment. The Beck Depression Index was administered at baseline and one-year later along with items assessing the presence of household rules about TV and video games. Baseline use of mobile phones and TV viewing were associated with higher levels of depression one year later controlling for demographic information and baseline depression score. Having household rules about TV at baseline predicted lower levels of depression at follow-up. Both TV viewing and mobile phone use may contribute to the development of depressive symptoms. Implementing household rules about the duration and content of TV could help reduce depression in young adolescents.

Authors

• David S. Bickham, Boston Children's Hospital

• Yulin Hswen, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard U

• Michael O. Rich, Center on Media and Child Health