Intensive and problematic social media use during pregnancy can lead to depressive symptoms. This is evident from new doctoral research by Tilburg University. "More attention needs to be paid to these risk factors for mental health problems, which can have unfavorable outcomes for both mother and child."
For the past 30 years, Tilburg University has conducted extensive research into the general well-being of women during pregnancy. The impetus for Lotte Muskens’ doctoral research, who will defend her dissertation at Tilburg University this Friday, June 28, is a notable trend break. Despite improvements in many risk factors for developing depression during pregnancy over the past few decades, such as higher education levels and reduced smoking and alcohol consumption, the number of women with depression has increased. "Therefore, we wanted to investigate if new risk factors have emerged," said Muskens.
In her study, she followed more than 2000 women from 12 weeks of pregnancy until childbirth. The intensity of social media use, the time spent on social media, and the frequency of use, as well as problematic social media use, were documented. The research shows that social media use increases significantly between 12 and 20 weeks of pregnancy, then stabilizes.
Negative but also positive aspects of social media use
"We also looked at the consequences of comparing one’s pregnancy with others and using social media as an information source. Sometimes women reported negative feelings as a result of use, such as ’those other pregnant women on the internet look much more beautiful than I do,’" said Muskens. A link was found between excessive social media use and a high degree of depressive symptoms. "At the same time, we also see many positive aspects of social media use during pregnancy, such as increased feelings of reassurance and recognition."
Excessive social media use not yet recognized as an addiction
In psychiatry and psychology, excessive social media use has not yet been officially recognized as an addiction problem. "The results of this study underscore the importance of more attention in healthcare for these newly emerging, under-researched risk factors for mental health problems," Muskens asserts. "Healthcare providers should be aware that (vulnerable) pregnant women can experience mental health issues due to one-sided and incorrect information on social media." According to Muskens, healthcare providers can more actively inquire about social media use during pregnancy and make women aware of the potential consequences of intensive use.