JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Sexual and gender minority (SGM, i.e., lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and otherwise queer) young adults experience disparities in depression and other internalizing psychopathology. While social media use is widespread and SGM people have more social media accounts and are more socially active on them than non-SGM individuals, few studies have examined the impact of social media on depression among this group.

Objective:

PRIDE iM Study will be the first longitudinal, mixed-methods research conducted to determine the impact of social media interactions and behaviors as pathways to depressive symptoms among SGM young adults living in the United States.

Methods:

PRIDE iM uses a “bookends variation” of the longitudinal sequential mixed methods design. Participants will be recruited nationally from social media. First, between July 2019 and February 2020, we conducted a qualitative phase (T1) comprising online individual interviews (N = 58) to inform the building and content of the quantitative survey. Second, from February to September 2022, we will conduct a series of online surveys (N = 1,000 at baseline) with four data points (T2 – T5), each one collected every 6-8 weeks. Third, from October to December 2022, we will conduct a second qualitative phase (T6) of online interviews using outcome trajectories found in the longitudinal survey analyses to purposively sample survey participants and conduct online interviews to contextualize and explain survey findings.

Results:

Data Analysis Plan Qualitative data from T1 and T6 will be analyzed using a reflexive thematic analysis approach. Because we sought to capture change over time in the association between the main predictors (i.e., social media interactions and behaviors) and depressive symptoms, we propose analyzing T2 – T5 data using latent growth models with a structural equation modeling framework. Data integration at method, interpretation, and reporting levels will be achieved through building and connecting and the use of staged approach and joint displays, respectively. At all stages, we will assess the fit of data integration as recommended by the principles of best practice for mixed methods research in psychology.

Conclusions:

PRIDE iM will confirm, reject, or uncover potential relationships between social media interactions and behaviors and depressive symptoms among SGM people. This study represents fundamental groundwork to develop social media–based interventions that target modifiable interactions and behaviors that are most likely to influence mental health outcomes, thus seizing the opportunity of merging the popularity of this medium among SGM people with evidence-based approaches.