The quality and reliability of short videos about depression on TikTok (Douyin): a cross-sectional study

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders worldwide. Despite its significant impact on patients’ well-being, its etiology remains unclear, and diagnosis is often challenging. Currently, effective depression management requires long-term patient engagement, which includes consistent self-care, adherence to treatment plans, and ongoing mental health literacy. However, the quality of depression-related videos on short-video platforms varies widely, and some may contain misinformation that patients struggle to identify. This study aims to assess the information quality of depression-related short videos on TikTok (Douyin), the largest short-video platform in China. Based on the composite ranking, the top 200 depression-related videos on TikTok (Douyin) were rigorously screened by two independent psychiatrists according to predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Videos were categorized by publisher type, and detailed engagement metrics (likes, shares, comments, favorites) were recorded. Video quality was assessed using the Global Quality Scale (GQS), JAMA Benchmark Criteria, and the modified DISCERN tool (mDISCERN). Content analysis covered six key domains: definition, symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. Finally, correlation analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationship between video quality and engagement metrics. The study ultimately included 121 depression-related videos, the majority of which (62%) were published by healthcare professionals, including psychiatrists (39.7%) and psychologists (13.2%). Overall, video quality was low, with median scores of 2 (IQR: 1–3) for both GQS and JAMA, and 0 (IQR: 0–1) for mDISCERN. In contrast, videos authored by psychiatrists provided more comprehensive coverage of depression-related content and demonstrated superior reliability and quality, with median scores of 3 (IQR: 2–3) for DISCERN, 2.5 (IQR: 2–3) for GQS, and 1 (IQR: 1–2) for JAMA. Notably, psychiatrist-produced videos also achieved higher public engagement metrics. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive association between video quality scores and public engagement. Overall, the quality of depression-related video content on TikTok (Douyin) remains suboptimal and requires significant improvement. There is a pressing need for more high-quality, evidence-based depression-related videos to facilitate long-term and effective self-management among individuals with depression. Simultaneously, such efforts would help improve public awareness and accurate understanding of depression.