Year: 2021
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This study examines the connection between the duration of Facebook use and psychological well-being among army veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). An online survey determined the duration of Facebook use, PTSD online support group membership, PTSD symptom severity, depression severity, perceived social support, happiness, and health among a sample of veterans (n = 113). We found that duration of Facebook use was a predictor of PTSD symptom severity, even after controlling for demographic variables, PTSD diagnosis, institutional recognition, and depression severity. In addition, we found that membership in an online support group for veterans with PTSD was associated with an increase in happiness levels and a decrease in depression symptoms. This study offers a new understanding of the effect that social media use exerts on psychological well-being among vulnerable groups.
Authors: Daphna Yeshua-Katz, Tanya Zilberstein
Institution: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
Funder: Israel Science Foundation
Award: G1249846532
OpenAlex ID: W3217533546
