AbstractBackground: Social isolation, the feeling of disconnection, significantly affects adolescent mental health, often leading to depression. Digital communication can exacerbate this issue by lacking genuine connection. Studies show that social isolation increases stress, lowers self-esteem, and reduces support, all contributing to higher depressive symptoms. Effective interventions focus on enhancing social skills, increasing interaction, and providing psychological support to mitigate these effects.
Objectives: The study aims to identify the association between social isolation and depression, and evaluate how sociodemographic factors influence depression symptoms.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study examines the sociodemographic characteristics, prevalence of social isolation, depression symptoms, and social contact patterns among 350 adolescents aged 13-18 years in Baghdad, selected via stratified random sampling. Data collection involved structured face-to-face interviews using questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize sociodemographic data, social isolation, and depression symptoms, while chi-square tests and multiple linear regression assessed associations and predictors of depression.
Results: Results indicated that 15% of adolescents experienced social isolation, which was significantly associated with depression symptoms (X²= 12.34, p<0.05). Higher family income was significantly linked to lower depression symptoms (p = 0.003), whereas other sociodemographic factors had no significant impact. Digital communication was the most common form of social interaction, with in-person meetings being relatively infrequent.
Conclusion: The study reveals a strong link between social isolation and depression in Baghdad adolescents, highlighting the need for social connections and economic support to protect against depression. Comprehensive mental health strategies and further research on long-term effects are recommended.