SANUM: Revista Científico-Sanitaria / Scientific-Health Journal
Published January 29, 2026 | Version v1
Journal article Open

TRASTORNO DEPRESIVO MAYOR Y USO PROBLEMÁTICO DE REDES SOCIALES: META-ANÁLISIS 2020-2025

Authors/Creators

  • 1. Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Pasto, Nariño, Colombia

Description

Tipo de artículo: Artículo original

El objetivo de este artículo es cuantificar mediante meta-análisis la asociación entre el Trastorno Depresivo Mayor y el uso problemático de redes sociales en estudios publicados entre 2020 y 2025. El estudio se basa en una metodología cuantitativa, siguiendo las directrices PRISMA 2020, con búsqueda sistemática en PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO y ScienceDirect. Se incluyeron 16 estudios con 9,269 participantes de diversos países, evaluando la calidad metodológica mediante la escala Newcastle-Ottawa. Los resultados evidenciaron una correlación positiva moderada y estadísticamente significativa entre uso problemático de redes sociales y síntomas depresivos (r = 0.273, IC 95%: 0.215-0.332, p < 0.001), explicando aproximadamente el 7.5% de la varianza en sintomatología depresiva. Adicionalmente, se identificaron asociaciones significativas con ansiedad (r = 0.348) y estrés (r = 0.313). La heterogeneidad entre estudios fue sustancial (I² = 83.2%), aunque el análisis de variables moderadoras (edad, género, año de publicación) no mostró efectos significativos. Se concluye que el uso problemático de redes sociales, caracterizado por síntomas similares a adicción comportamental, constituye un factor de riesgo clínicamente relevante para sintomatología depresiva en adolescentes y adultos jóvenes. Se recomienda la evaluación sistemática de patrones de uso digital en protocolos clínicos, el desarrollo de intervenciones terapéuticas específicas y la implementación de programas preventivos de alfabetización digital en contextos educativos como estrategias para mitigar los efectos adversos sobre la salud mental.

Abstract (English)

Article type: Original Research Article

The objective of this article is to quantify through meta-analysis the association between Major Depressive Disorder and problematic social media use in studies published between 2020 and 2025. The study is based on a quantitative methodology, following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, with systematic searches in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and ScienceDirect. Sixteen studies with 9,269 participants from various countries were included, assessing methodological quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The results showed a moderate and statistically significant positive correlation between problematic social media use and depressive symptoms (r = 0.273, 95% CI: 0.215-0.332, p < 0.001), explaining approximately 7.5% of the variance in depressive symptomatology. Additionally, significant associations were identified with anxiety (r = 0.348) and stress (r = 0.313). Heterogeneity between studies was substantial (I² = 83.2%), although the analysis of moderating variables (age, gender, publication year) showed no significant effects. It is concluded that problematic social media use, characterized by symptoms similar to behavioral addiction, constitutes a clinically relevant risk factor for depressive symptomatology in adolescents and young adults. Systematic evaluation of digital use patterns in clinical protocols, the development of specific therapeutic interventions, and the implementation of preventive digital literacy programs in educational contexts are recommended as strategies to mitigate adverse effects on mental health.

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Additional details

Additional titles

Translated title (English)
MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER AND PROBLEMATIC SOCIAL MEDIA USE: META-ANALYSIS 2020-2025

Identifiers

ISSN
2530-5468

Dates

Collected
2025-10-03
manuscrito recibido
Accepted
2025-11-17
evaluacion doble ciego
Available
2026-01-29
publicación en el número de la revista

Software

Repository URL
https://revistacientificasanum.com/

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