Snapchat Usage Intensity and Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety Among Adults in a Central Region of Saudi Arabia: A...

Social media platforms, including Snapchat, are widely used across age groups in Saudi Arabia. Evidence on how intensity of use relates to symptoms of depression and anxiety among adults in the region remains limited. This study examined the association between Snapchat usage intensity and symptoms of depression and anxiety among adults in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia.

A cross-sectional Arabic-language online survey was conducted between January and August 2023 in Buraydah City. Adults aged 18 to 65 years who used Snapchat at least two to four times daily were recruited from 12 schools through randomized cluster selection combined with voluntary participation among school staff and their adult family members. Snapchat usage intensity was measured using a six-item scale adapted from the Facebook Intensity Scale (range, 6-30), and symptoms of depression and anxiety were assessed using the Arabic versions of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Spearman's rank-order correlation and multivariable linear regression adjusted for age, marital status, and income were performed, with significance set at P < 0.05. Ethical approval was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of Qassim University.

A total of 323 adults participated (mean age, 32.6 ± 9.5 years; 203 (62.8%) female). The mean Snapchat intensity score was 17.78 (standard deviation (SD), 5.56), with no significant gender difference (mean difference, 0.41; 95% confidence interval (CI), -0.85 to 1.67; P = 0.53). Internal consistency of the adapted intensity scale was good (Cronbach's alpha 0.867). Snapchat intensity correlated weakly with anxiety scores (rho = 0.242, P < 0.001, 95% CI 0.130-0.348) and with depression scores (rho = 0.311, P < 0.001, 95% CI 0.203-0.412), accounting for 5.9% and 9.7% of variance, respectively. After adjustment for age, marital status, and income, Snapchat intensity remained associated with depression scores (B = 0.25, 95% CI 0.14-0.36, P < 0.001) and anxiety scores (B = 0.17, 95% CI 0.07-0.27, P = 0.001).

Snapchat usage intensity showed a small positive association with symptoms of depression and anxiety. The effect sizes were small, accounting for less than 10% of the variance in symptom scores, and the cross-sectional design precludes any inference about direction. In a sensitivity analysis, the association was attenuated by adjustment for problematic social media use.