KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOURAL PRACTICES TOWARDS DIGITAL DEPRESSION: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN MALAYSIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55197/qjssh.v6i5.860Keywords:
digital depression, KAP survey, teenagers, young adults, MalaysiaAbstract
The widespread adoption of digital devices has fundamentally altered user behaviour. Specifically, in Malaysia, there's increased concern over the psychological risks faced by teenagers and young adults due to their heavy reliance on technology. This study aims to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward digital depression, a form of depression associated with excessive or problematic digital media consumption, among youth in Malaysia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 389 respondents, comprising teenagers (aged 13-17) and young adults (aged 18-29), utilising the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards digital depression. A quantitative analysis revealed high mean scores in all KAP dimensions, indicating strong awareness and understanding of digital depression among participants. However, despite this awareness, many participants reported experiencing significant depressive symptoms, such as low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbances, due to excessive social media use. The study also found that while respondents understood the need to reduce screen time and adopt healthier digital practices, there remained a gap between knowledge and action, with few actively engaging in behaviours that could mitigate the impact of digital depression.
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