Social media doesn’t tend to have a great reputation when it comes to supporting the mental wellbeing of users.  Numerous stories and studies have emerged since the birth of social media highlighting the numerous negative effects of social media use on people young and old.

It may come as something of a surprise therefore when research emerges that bucks that trend, and instead suggests social media usage may help our mental health.  Alas, that is exactly what a recent study from Michigan State University does.

The authors argue that social media helps us to maintain relationships and access crucial health information, which has a big impact on our overall health and wellbeing.

Looking through the wrong lens

They suggest that the bad reputation social media has gained in recent years is largely a consequence of most research focusing on young people rather than adults.

“Taking a snapshot of the anxiety felt by young people today and concluding that a whole generation is at risk because of social media ignores more noteworthy social changes, such as the lingering effects of the Great Recession, the rise in single child families, older and more protective parents, more kids going to college, and rising student debt,” they explain.

The researchers set out to rectify matters, and study a more mature demographic.  In total they assessed around 13,000 adults who had participated in the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, which is billed as the world’s longest-running household survey.  Recent surveys have included questions on use of technologies like social media, and also around psychological distress.

The data revealed that regular users of social media were around 63% less likely to suffer from psychological distress, such as depression and anxiety.  This was largely because social networks provided a way to keep in touch with friends and family.

The data also found that regular social networkers were 1.63 times more likely to avoid bouts of psychological distress, although this figure varies depending on the type and amount of technologies both the individual and their social network use.

“Today, we have these ongoing, little bits of information popping up on our cell phones and Facebook feeds, and that ongoing contact might matter for things like mental health,” the authors conclude.