scholarly journals Understanding the buffering effect of social media use on anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yousri Marzouki ◽  
Fatimah Salem Aldossari ◽  
Giuseppe A. Veltri
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Functional Role ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Positive Perception ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cross Sectional Design ◽  
Collective Resilience

AbstractDuring the COVID-19 outbreak, lockdown measures have been deployed worldwide. In the wake of these measures, internet and social media use has reached unprecedented peaks. We hypothesize that social media can, in the context of the pandemic, be a placeholder for collective resilient processes modulated by cognitive and emotional components. An online survey (N = 1408) using a cross-sectional design was carried out over nine weeks from the beginning of March 2020 to the end of May 2020. The triangulation via SEM statistical modeling, text mining, and sentiment, discriminant, and entropy analyses revealed the granular functional role of social media use in promoting a positive perception towards stressors during the pandemic. This study provides an empirically tested theoretical framework to understand the evolution of buffering mechanisms of social media use as a result of collective resilience. Recommendations on social media use for future lockdown scenarios were provided.

scholarly journals Loneliness and Its Association With Social Media Use During the COVID-19 Outbreak

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 205630512110338
Author(s):  
Tore Bonsaksen ◽  
Mary Ruffolo ◽  
Janni Leung ◽  
Daicia Price ◽  
Hilde Thygesen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Emotional Loneliness ◽  
Social Loneliness

Social distancing rules during the COVID-19 pandemic changed social interaction for many and increased the risk of loneliness in the general population. Social media use has been ambiguously related to loneliness, and associations may differ by age. The study aimed to examine loneliness and its association with social media use within different age groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia during April/May 2020, and 3,810 participants aged 18 years or above were recruited. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between social media use and social and emotional loneliness within separate age groups. Emotional loneliness was higher among young adults and among those who used social media several times daily. Adjusting by sociodemographic variables, using more types of social media was associated with lower social loneliness among the oldest participants, and with higher emotional loneliness among the youngest participants. Among middle-aged participants, using social media more frequently was associated with lower social loneliness. We found that the associations between social media use and loneliness varied by age. Older people’s engagement on social media may be a resource to reduce loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. We observed higher levels of loneliness among high-frequent social media users of younger age.

scholarly journals Social Media Use and Sleep Quality among Adults: The Role of Gender, Age and Social Media Checking Habit

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liese Exelmans ◽  
Holly Scott
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
The Difference

This study expands knowledge on the effects of technology use on sleep by (1) focusing onsocial media use in an adult sample, (2) investigating the difference between overall andnighttime-specific social media use with regards to sleep, and (3) exploring a vulnerabilityperspective. For the latter, the moderating roles of gender, age, and habitual social mediachecking behavior were examined. A representative quota sample of 584 adults (18-96 yearsold) participated in an online survey. Results indicated that 2 out of 3 adults used socialmedia, and that use both shortly before and in bed was prevalent. Only nighttime use wasassociated with poorer sleep quality. Age and habitual checking behavior moderated thisassociation, identifying younger adults and those with strong checking habits as possiblevulnerable groups for poor sleep. The findings are interpreted in light of existing research onmedia habits and problematic (social) media use.

scholarly journals Risks and Benefits of Using Social Media in Dermatology: Cross-sectional Questionnaire Study

10.2196/24737 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e24737
Author(s):  
Moshe Y Bressler ◽  
Eugene Grudnikoff ◽  
Yaakov Bressler ◽  
Rebecca Tamez ◽  
John G Zampella
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Patient Education ◽  
Generation X ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Information Quality ◽  
Media Use ◽  
The United States ◽  
Patient Privacy ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background Dermatological information on social media is often presented by nondermatologists. Increasing the online engagement of trained dermatologists may improve information quality, patient education, and care. Objective Our study assesses dermatologists’ perceptions of social media and patterns of use to identify barriers limiting engagement. Methods In our cohort study, a 36-item online survey was distributed to dermatologists in the United States; responses were captured on a 1-100 sliding scale. Results Of 166 initiated surveys, 128 valid responses were submitted. Dermatologists showed greater concern for social media risk-related issues (mean 77.9, SD 15.1) than potential benefits (mean 61.8, SD 16.4; P<.001). Leading concerns were poor patient care, nonevidence-based information, and breaching patient privacy. Benefits included interphysician collaboration, patient education, and public health awareness. The most avid and enthusiastic social media users were millennials (mean total optimism score 67.5, SD 14.9) and baby boomers (mean total optimism score 63.1, SD 11.2) compared with Generation X dermatologists (mean total optimism score 52.2, SD 16.3, P<.001). Of 128 dermatologists, 103 (82.4%) plan on increasing their social media use (P=.003). Predictors showing an intent to increase future social media use were younger age, integration into professional use, and an optimistic view (r2=.39; P<.001). Conclusions Dermatologists perceive the risk of social media to be considerable but still intend to increase its use, likely recognizing the value and importance of social media to the field.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Stress and Addictive Social Media Use (SMU): Mediating Role of Active Use and Social Media Flow

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nan Zhao ◽  
Guangyu Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Chinese College Students ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Self Report Data

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is likely to enhance the risk of addictive social media use (SMU) as people spend more time online maintaining connectivity when face-to-face communication is limited. Stress is assumed to be a critical predictor of addictive SMU. However, the mechanisms underlying the association between stress and addictive SMU in crises like the current COVID-19 situation remain unclear. The present study aimed to understand the relationship between COVID-19 stress and addictive SMU by examining the mediating role of active use and social media flow (i.e., an intensive, enjoyable experience generated by SMU that perpetuates media use behaviors). A sample of 512 Chinese college students (Mage = 22.12 years, SD = 2.47; 62.5% women) provided self-report data on COVID-19 stress and SMU variables (i.e., time, active use, flow, addictive behavior) via an online survey from March 24 to April 1, 2020. The results showed that COVID-19 stress was positively associated with tendencies toward addictive SMU. Path analyses revealed that this relationship was significantly serially mediated by active use and social media flow, with SMU time being controlled. Our findings suggest that individuals who experience more COVID-19 stress are at increased risk of addictive SMU that may be fostered by active use and flow experience. Specific attention should be paid to these high-risk populations and future interventions to reduce addictive SMU could consider targeting factors of both active use and social media flow.

Blurring the Boundaries

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Julie A Delello ◽  
Kouider Mokhtari
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Use Of Social Media

This article reports the results of a mixed methods study aimed at exploring faculty and student perceptions regarding the use of social media in the higher education classroom. Two groups of faculty (n = 50) and students (n = 396) voluntarily responded to an online survey consisting of a mix of close and open-ended questions pertaining to their perceptions of social media use inside and outside the classroom. Key findings revealed that among faculty (52%) and students (23%) see social media as a distraction. In addition, contrary to prior research indicating that interpersonal boundaries between faculty and students are shifting as people become more connected via social media, only 17% of students and 29% of faculty reported forming social media friendships outside of the classroom. These findings are discussed in light of extant research on the use of social media along with implications for the role of social media in the higher education classroom.

The Moderating Role of Community Capacity for Age-Friendly Communication in Mitigating Anxiety of Older Adults During the COVID-19 Infodemic: Cross-Sectional Survey (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frankie Ho Chun Wong ◽  
Dara Kiu Yi Leung ◽  
Edwin Lok Yan Wong ◽  
Tianyin Liu ◽  
Shiyu Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Community Capacity ◽  
Traditional Media ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Cross Sectional

BACKGROUND Older adults were perceived as a vulnerable group under the COVID-19 pandemic due to the health and mental health challenges they faced. The pandemic was accompanied by an “infodemic” of overabundant and questionable information that has affected older adults’ mental health. As the infodemic and ageist narratives were prevalent online, more anxiety symptoms have been induced among older adults who used social media. Age-friendly communication, advocated by the World Health Organization’s age-friendly city guide, could be an antidote by providing tailored information via appropriate channels for older adults. OBJECTIVE This study investigated the role of community capacity for age-friendly communication in mitigating anxiety during the pandemic. We hypothesized that age-friendly communication would moderate the effects of infection risks and social media use on anxiety. A double moderating effect was hypothesized in the context of diminished trust in traditional media. METHODS Data were collected from a cross-sectional telephone survey conducted in Hong Kong in 2020. Older adults (age ≥ 60 years) were interviewed about their wellbeing and daily lives (N = 3421). Community capacity for age-friendly communication was measured in a living districts-based evaluation. It had two components: the reach of appropriate information to older adults (AFC-I) and the age-friendliness of communication technologies (AFC-C&D) in the community. We tested the hypothesized moderation and double moderation effects with ordinary least squares regressions. RESULTS Perceived COVID-19 infection risk (b = .002, P = .02) and use of social media for COVID-19 information (b = .08, P =.04) were associated with more anxiety symptoms. The effect of using social media was moderated by AFC-I (b = -.39, P = .002) and AFC-C&D (b = -1.06, P < .001), and the effect of perceived COVID-19 infection risk was moderated by AFC-I (b = -.03, P = .002) and AFC-C&D (b = -.05, P < .001). Lower trust in traditional media exacerbated anxiety symptoms associated with social media use (b = -.08, P = .02). Higher AFC-I alleviated this moderation effect (AFC-I*media trust b = -.65, P < .001; AFC-I*social media use b = -2.18, P <.001; three-way interaction b = .40, P = .003). CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight the role of community age-friendly communication in mitigating anxiety related to the infodemic. Although using social media may have exacerbated the impact of the infodemic on older adults, it has the potential to deliver timely information for adequate health response. While the amplifying effects of low media trust was associated with social media use, age-friendly communication determined its strength. Instead of discouraging the use of digital technologies for COVID-19 information, efforts should be made in tailoring information and communication technologies in local communities for older adults.

scholarly journals The role of technology and social media use on sleep-onset difficulties among Italian adolescents: a cross-sectional study (Preprint)

10.2196/20319 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nirosha Elsem Varghese ◽  
Eugenio Santoro ◽  
Alessandra Lugo ◽  
Juan J Madrid-Valero ◽  
Simone Ghislandi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Sleep Onset ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Italian Adolescents

scholarly journals Perception of social media behaviour among medical students, residents and medical specialists

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastiaan A. Pronk ◽  
Simone L. Gorter ◽  
Scheltus J. van Luijk ◽  
Pieter C. Barnhoorn ◽  
Beer Binkhorst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Clinical Work ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Medical Specialists

Abstract Introduction Behaviour is visible in real-life events, but also on social media. While some national medical organizations have published social media guidelines, the number of studies on professional social media use in medical education is limited. This study aims to explore social media use among medical students, residents and medical specialists. Methods An anonymous, online survey was sent to 3844 medical students at two Dutch medical schools, 828 residents and 426 medical specialists. Quantitative, descriptive data analysis regarding demographic data, yes/no questions and Likert scale questions were performed using SPSS. Qualitative data analysis was performed iteratively, independently by two researchers applying the principles of constant comparison, open and axial coding until consensus was reached. Results Overall response rate was 24.8%. Facebook was most popular among medical students and residents; LinkedIn was most popular among medical specialists. Personal pictures and/or information about themselves on social media that were perceived as unprofessional were reported by 31.3% of students, 19.7% of residents and 4.1% of medical specialists. Information and pictures related to alcohol abuse, partying, clinical work or of a sexually suggestive character were considered inappropriate. Addressing colleagues about their unprofessional posts was perceived to be mainly dependent on the nature and hierarchy of the interprofessional relation. Discussion There is a widespread perception that the presence of unprofessional information on social media among the participants and their colleagues is a common occurrence. Medical educators should create awareness of the risks of unprofessional (online) behaviour among healthcare professionals, as well as the necessity and ways of addressing colleagues in case of such lapses.

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