Active social media use was associated with several negative health indicators among sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals.
This is according to a study – “Active Social Media Use and Health Indicators Among Sexual and Gender Minority Adults” by Erin A. Vogel, Annesa Flentje, Mitchell R. Lunn, et al – that appeared in LGBT Health.
For this study, the researchers used data from the 2017 wave of The PRIDE Study, a cohort study of SGM health in the US. SGM-identified adults reporting social media use (N = 5,995) completed measures of active social media use, social support, depressive symptoms, cigarette smoking, hazardous drinking, sleep, and physical activity. Regression models examined main and interactive effects of active social media use and social support on health indicators.
The study’s findings included:
- For those with a moderate level of active social media use and relatively high social support, 31.8% reported moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms.
- Participants with greater active social media use were more likely to experience depressive symptoms, cigarette smoking, insufficient sleep, and physical inactivity than those with less active social media use.
- Active social media use did not significantly interact with social support to predict any health indicators (p values >0.159).
“Among SGM adults, active social media use was associated with several negative health indicators,” stated the researchers, who added that active social media use may increase health risks, or SGM adults with poor health may actively use social media to maintain social connections. For them, therefore, “moderate active social media use may be compatible with health.”
