Media Exposure, Knowledge, and Attitude toward Depression of Generation-Y Members

Abstract

The objective of the research is to study media exposure, knowledge, attitude and behavioral tendency of Generation-Y members toward depression. This is a quantitative research with a research survey approach.  Data are collected from 400 people of working age, 23-40 years old, without depressive symptoms, who have been exposed to information on depression. The finding reveals that the samples are most exposed to information about depression from online media, especially from Facebook Page. Their knowledge about depression is at a moderate level.  The issue that most samples can answer most correctly is that depression is triggered when experiencing an unexpected event, life crisis, and disappointment from expectation.  In addition, they have a positive attitude toward the subject and agree that it is something that should be treated most correctly. With regard to behavioral tendency toward depressed people, it is found that most samples have the strongest intention to recommend or refer people with depressive symptoms to correct treatment.  It is also found that media exposure to depression is not related to knowledge about it, while the latter is related to attitude which in turn is related to behavioral tendency toward depressed people, and media exposure is related to attitude.