Social media engagement patterns in relation to adolescent anxiety and depression: a systematic review

2025-09-16T10:44:27+07:00

Purpose: Adolescents are increasingly immersed in social media environments that encourage curated self-presentation and social comparison. Global prevalence estimates from the World Health Organization indicate that 5.5% of adolescents aged 15–19 meet diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders. While prior research emphasized screen time duration, emerging evidence suggests that how young people engage— primarily through passive, emotionally reactive, or appearance-focused behaviors—may be more predictive of internalising symptoms such as anxiety and depression. This systematic review aimed to synthesize observational evidence on associations between adolescent social media use and internalising symptoms, with particular attention to engagement patterns, psychosocial mediators, and contextual moderators.

Methods: A comprehensive search across PubMed, Scopus, EBSCOhost, and AI-assisted platforms was conducted between April 14 and 25, 2025. Inclusion criteria were: observational design, adolescent population (10–19 years), validated measures of anxiety/depression, and exposure to social media use. Ten studies published between 2018 and 2025 met eligibility criteria (N=10). Data were synthesized narratively, with quality assessed using the JBI checklist.

Results: Across studies, problematic use and passive scrolling were more strongly associated with anxiety and depression than total time spent online. Sleep disruption and appearance-based comparison consistently emerged as mediators, while gender, emotional reactivity, and socioeconomic background moderated vulnerability. Girls and gender- diverse adolescents reported higher psychological reactivity. Protective factors included physical activity and family support. Most studies were cross-sectional; only one referenced neurobiological pathways.

Conclusion: Digital mental health risks in adolescents are driven less by screen exposure time and more by emotionally charged engagement styles. Interventions should prioritize resilience-building and digital literacy, while future research must incorporate longitudinal and biopsychosocial frameworks to capture the complexity of these associations better.

A scoping review of partners and in-law roles in postpartum depression

2025-09-16T10:44:29+07:00

Purpose: Postpartum depression (PPD) affects about 17.22% of women globally, with higher rates in regions like Southern Africa and Southeast Asia, and is associated with negative impacts on breastfeeding, self-care, infant care, and maternal mental health. Support from family members plays a crucial role in protecting mothers from PPD by providing emotional and practical assistance. However, in some family arrangements, while in-laws can be supportive, conflicts or unmet expectations may also increase the risk of emotional distress and PPD. This study seeks to identify existing literature on the roles of family support in postpartum care.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted using PubMed and ScienceDirect as databases, applying search terms such as “Mothers”, “Support”, and “Postpartum Depression”.

Results: A total of 11 published articles between 2020 and 2025 were selected after meeting the inclusion criteria. This review emphasizes the essential role of familial relationships in shaping postpartum mental health within traditional household settings. Supportive behaviors from husbands consistently emerged as protective factors against PPD by reducing psychological stress, which can contribute to depressive symptoms. Likewise, the role of in-laws can either alleviate or intensify maternal stress.

Conclusion: Husbands are encouraged to engage in open and empathetic communication with their partners, providing consistent emotional support and reassurance. Furthermore, husbands can serve a pivotal role in managing dynamics within the extended family by establishing appropriate boundaries and fostering a supportive and respectful environment that prioritizes the mother’s psychological well-being.

BKM Public Health and Community Medicine

Social media engagement patterns in relation to adolescent anxiety and depression: a systematic review

A scoping review of partners and in-law roles in postpartum depression