Social Media Use Linked to Developing Depression Regardless of PersonalityResearchers in public policy and education recently found that young adults who use more social media are significantly more likely to develop depression within six months, regardless of personality type.Published in the Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, the study, “Associations between social media use, personality structure, and development of depression,” was co-authored by Renae Merrill, a doctoral student in the Public Policy Program at the University of Arkansas.Social media was measured by asking participants how much daily time was spent using popular social media platforms, and personality was measured using the Big Five Inventory, which assessed openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism.Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines.TopicsContactsRenae Merrill, doctoral studentPublic Policy Program479-586-8412, ramerril@uark.eduPublic Policy Program479-586-8412, ramerril@uark.eduHardin Young, assistant director of research communicationsUniversity Relations479-575-6850, hyoung@uark.eduUniversity Relations479-575-6850, hyoung@uark.eduHeadlinesFood Science Graduate Students Win Agricultural Engineering Competition AwardsThree food science students — Faith Ouma Achieng, Abas Adekoyejo Oduola and Surabhi Wason — recently won awards in presentation contests at an annual international meeting in Houston."