A team of researchers from Veterans Affairs Portland Healthcare System and the Oregon Health and Science University studied the effect that in-person social interaction and interaction on social media have on mental health in veterans. The study found that in-person social contact has a more positive effect on preventing depression and PTSD in veterans than interaction on Facebook and other social media platforms.

Study has found that socializing with friends and family in real life is more important to having good mental health than socializing online. (Source: Unsplash)

"When we look at a head-to-head comparison of time spent socializing on Facebook vs. face-to-face, it is the time spend in-person with our friends and family that probably matters most to reducing symptoms of depression and PTSD in veterans,” said Dr. Alan Teo, lead author on the paper.

During the study, the team surveyed 587 veterans who have served since September 2001. In the survey, the subjects were asked about how often they interact with family and friends in real life and online.

The results of the study showed that people who had frequent in-person contact with family and friends had a 50% lower chance for PTSD and major depression symptoms than those whose main social interaction came from Facebook. This doesn’t prove a direct cause and effect between social contact and better health, but the results are promising. This and past studies suggest that there is a link between health and in-person social relationships.

The participants were recruited through Facebook ads and screened for PTSD, alcohol use disorder and risk of suicide. The study also found that the frequency of Facebook-based social contact didn’t have a positive or negative effect on a person’s risk of PTSD and depression. It was also determined that in-person interaction didn’t have an effect on the risk of alcohol dependency or suicide risk, at least in the study’s participants.

Of the participants who use Facebook daily, 37% also met with friends and family several times per day, compared to 19% of participants who use Facebook infrequently. The people who use Facebook daily spent an average of 50 minutes per day on the platform.

Social isolation has been previously linked to negative mental health issues, while in-person social interaction has been linked to better mental health. Also, lack of face-to-face interaction with family and friends has been linked to a higher risk in negative mental health symptoms in veterans. Veterans already have a higher risk of depression and PTSD than the average person.

"I think the excitement in the VA and other health systems about the opportunities associated with online interventions is great. But at the same time, this study is a bit of a reminder that the foundation to good mental health care probably starts with promoting good, old-fashioned social connections," said Teo.

The study was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.