A scoping review about the portrayal of depression and anxiety in mainstream and social media

Gloria Mittmann*, Beate Schrank, Verena Steiner-Hofbauer

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal article (peer-reviewed)Review article

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Media portrayal of mental disorders has a significant impact on awareness and stigma. Given the high prevalence of depression and anxiety as mental disorders, it is crucial to understand how they are represented. This scoping review aimed to map the existing literature on the portrayal of depression and anxiety in mainstream and social media. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed and PsychInfo, resulting in the inclusion of 20 records that predominantly examined social media and newspapers. Findings indicate that social media discussions on depression were mostly supportive and non-stigmatising. Public figures and role models played a significant role in encouraging open communication. Research on newspapers and other media forms yielded mixed results yet leaning towards positive portrayals. Limited studies explored anxiety portrayal. While acknowledging potential limitations in generalisability, this review emphasises the importance of accurately depicting mental health in media, particularly on social media platforms, while highlighting the need for broader investigations into anxiety representation.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1075-1083
Number of pages9
JournalInternational Journal of Psychology
Volume59
Issue number6
Early online date20 Aug 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2024

Keywords

  • Social Media
  • Humans
  • Social Stigma
  • Anxiety Disorders/psychology
  • Depressive Disorder/psychology
  • Mass Media
  • Anxiety/psychology
  • Depression/psychology

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