Measuring the relationship between social media use and addictive behavior and depression and suicide ideation among university students

Addictive behavior to social network sites is considered an alarming phenomenon where other psychopathological problems can be manifested. The purpose of the study is to analyze the relationship between the use and the addictive behavior of social media and the use of mobile devices, depression, and suicidal ideation. The questionnaires were applied to a sample of 374 university students where 58.6% were women and 41.4% men, with an average age of 20.01 years (SD = 1.84). Unlike the use of social media, addictive behavior was significantly related to depression and suicidal ideation. 36.1% of the sample reported having at least one idea in relation to suicide in the last two weeks. We propose an explanatory model that was adjusted appropriately and explained the addictive behavior with the frequency of mobile phone use, daily hours, depression, and suicidal ideation, the last one in a negative direction. It is concluded that, unlike excessive use, addictive behavior is associated with negative psychological characteristics. However, addictive behavior can also be considered a protective factor against suicidal ideation when relating to depression.