Question

Teens who experience more bullying, meanness and other negativity on Facebook have an increased risk of depression according to a study in the Journal of Adolescent Health. Researchers surveyed 264 teens about their experiences on Facebook, asking about the frequency, severity and types of negative experiences. They found that teens who had more negative experiences on the site had an increased risk of depressive symptoms, even after controlling for parental mental health, sex, race and ethnicity, reported social support, daily Facebook use and income.     

(a) Identify both variables and describe how each was operationally defined.

(b) Identify the direction of the correlation.

(c) Write a full sentence describing the specific claim the researcher can make about the variables.

2. One of these correlations includes a moderating variable. Which study is it and what is the moderating variable?

Answer 1

1. a) In the study, negative experiences on Facebook was identified as the independent variable. The researchers operationally defined the independent variable in terms of the frequency, severity and the types( bullying, meanness) of negative behaviour experienced by the teenage participants on Facebook. The increased risk of actual symptoms of depression as reported by the teenage participants was operationally defined as the dependent variable.

b) the study suggests a positive correlation that is, an increase in the negative experiences on Facebook was likely t9 increase the rate of depresssive symptoms in teenage Facebookers.

c) based on the findings of the study, the researchers can make a claim that frequent Facebook use is likely to have a negative influence on one’s mood.

2. Controlling factors like the parental mental health, sex, race and ethnicity, daily Facebook use and income, as well as the available social support were the moderating variables used in the study reported in the Journal of Adolescent Health.