ALPHA PSYCHIATRY
Original Articles

The prevalence and risk factors of Facebook addiction: does Facebook addiction is related with depression and PTSD?

Alpha Psychiatry 2020; 21: 245-252
DOI: 10.5455/apd.2020101
Read: 1129 Downloads: 558 Published: 01 June 2020

Objective: Studies show that Facebook usage has negative effects on depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dependencies. In this study, the relationship between probable Facebook addiction with PTSD, depres-sion and sociodemographic variables in North Cyprus (NC) was investigated. Methods: The study was applied between May and June 2016. Sample of the study consists of the individuals between 18 and 88 years living in NC. Multi-stage stratified quota was used in the survey and 982 people were selected according to the 2011 census. The evaluation tool consists of the sociodemographic data, Traumatic Stress Symptom Scale, Facebook Addiction Scale and Beck Depression Inventory. Analyzes of findings were done by comparing the two groups: Probable Facebook addicted individual (PFAI) and Facebook non-addicted individual (FNAI). In the analysis of the data, chi-square test, logistic regression and correlation analysis were used. Results: In the study, PFAI was determined as 35.7%. Probable major depression current prevalence was 23.5% and prevalence of probable PTSD was found as 19%.Depression and PTSD were found to be higher in PFAI than FNAI. The risk of Facebook dependence is more prevalent among the individuals without substance use, young, unmarried and non-childbearing people, and without any physical illness participants. Conclusion: Depression and PTSD is more prevalent among PFAI, similar with drug addiction researches. The reason of high Facebook level of use among these people may be suggested that Facebook addiction is a form of behavior that arises as a means of self-healing to get rid of negative affect. [Anadolu Psikiyatri Derg 2020; 21(3.000): 245-252]

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