Document Type

Capstone Experience

Graduation Date

12-2025

Degree Name

Master of Public Health

Department

Health Promotion

First Committee Member

Michelle Strong, PhD, MPH, MFA, CHES

Second Committee Member

Shannon Maloney, PhD

Third Committee Member

Lauren Garcia, MPH

Abstract

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious form of depression that affects one in eight women. Symptoms include feeling sad all the time, being anxious, and having trouble bonding with their child. As social media sites like Facebook and Twitter become more important for moms to find support and health information, it has become a public health concern to learn how they affect mental health after giving birth. This literature review explores the positive and negative impacts of social media use on postpartum depression among mothers. A systematic search identified peer-reviewed studies published between 2014 and 2025. Studies were selected using clear inclusion criteria and assessed for quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tools. The main themes that were included from the research was peer support, exposure to health misinformation, social comparison and idealized motherhood, structured digital interventions, and sociodemographic disparities. The results show that social media platforms have an impact as both protective and risk factors for PPD, with outcomes influenced by usage patterns and content exposure. These findings hold significant implications for healthcare providers, public health practitioners, and policymakers aiming to create evidence-based guidelines for social media usage in the postpartum period.

Download

Included in

Public Health Commons

Share

COinS