Facebook depression with depressed users: The mediating effects of dependency and self-criticism on facebook addiction and depressiveness

This research aimed to examine the relationships between Facebook addiction, depressive experiences (self-criticism and dependency), and the severity of depression. To increase the validity of the findings, this longitudinal research with two waves was conducted with a sample of depressed Facebook users. This research has successfully recruited 250 Facebook users in Malaysia who have been diagnosed with depression. This longitudinal survey with two waves was conducted with a gap of six months, measuring the respondents’ addictive tendencies toward Facebook, depressive experiences, and the severity of depression. Overall, this research found that Facebook addiction escalates the severity of current and upcoming states of depression. Without the time lag, Facebook addiction escalates the sense of self-worthlessness, as reflected by depressive experiences, which eventually manifest into depression. These indirect effects did not last over six months, rendering Facebook addiction a direct predictor of the upcoming state of depression. Theoretical and practical implications are further discussed in this manuscript. •Facebook addiction significantly predicted the present and upcoming (6 month) depression.•Unregulated use of Facebook increases depressed users' susceptibility to depression.•Depressive experiences exerted significant indirect effects on Facebook addiction and depression.•After considering the time gap of 6 months, the indirect effects of depressive experiences were not significant.