Chapter Ten: Internet Use and Environmental Attitudes: A Social Capital Approach

BACKGROUND COVID-19 has spread like wildfire across the globe, prompting many governments to impose unprecedented stay-at-home orders to limit its transmission. During an extended stay-at-home period, individuals may engage in more online leisure activities. Internet use is a double-edged sword that may have both desirable and undesirable effects on psychological well-being, and this study sought to disentangle adaptive from maladaptive internet use amidst this unusual health crisis. OBJECTIVE The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of probable depression during the COVID-19 stay-at-home period and to test three hypothesized risk reduction or risk elevation mechanisms, namely social capital–accrual, escape-from-self, and time-displacement effects. METHODS This study took place from March to May 2020 at the early stage of the pandemic. The study adopted a prospective design, with an online survey administered to 573 UK and 474 US adult residents at two assessment points 2 months apart. RESULTS The prevalence of moderate to severe depression was 36% (bootstrap bias-corrected and accelerated [BCa] 95% CI 33%-39%) at Time 1 (ie, initial time point) and 27% (bootstrap BCa 95% CI 25%-30%) at Time 2 (ie, follow-up time point). The results supported the social capital–accrual hypothesis by showing that the approach coping style was inversely associated with Time 2 depression through its positive associations with both social networking and perceived family support. The results also supported the escape-from-self hypothesis by revealing that the avoidant coping style was positively associated with Time 2 depression through its positive associations with both gaming and cyberbullying victimization, but the serial mediation model was no longer significant after Time 1 depression and some demographic risk factors had been controlled for. Finally, the results supported the time-displacement hypothesis by showing that gaming was positively associated with Time 2 depression through its inverse associations with social networking and perceived family support. CONCLUSIONS During the extended stay-at-home period in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of probable depression during the 2-month study period was high among the UK and US residents. Individuals with distinct coping styles may engage in different types of online leisure activities and perceive varying levels of social support, which are associated with risks of probable depression.

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Social Capital–Accrual, Escape-From-Self, and Time-Displacement Effects of Internet Use During the COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Period: Prospective, Quantitative Survey Study

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/22740 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (12) ◽

pp. e22740

Author(s):

Cecilia Cheng ◽

Yan-Ching Lau ◽

Jeremy W Luk

Keyword(s):

Social Capital ◽

Social Networking ◽

Family Support ◽

Coping Style ◽

Internet Use ◽

Leisure Activities ◽

Probable Depression ◽

Displacement Effects ◽

Time Point ◽

At Home

Background COVID-19 has spread like wildfire across the globe, prompting many governments to impose unprecedented stay-at-home orders to limit its transmission. During an extended stay-at-home period, individuals may engage in more online leisure activities. Internet use is a double-edged sword that may have both desirable and undesirable effects on psychological well-being, and this study sought to disentangle adaptive from maladaptive internet use amidst this unusual health crisis. Objective The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of probable depression during the COVID-19 stay-at-home period and to test three hypothesized risk reduction or risk elevation mechanisms, namely social capital–accrual, escape-from-self, and time-displacement effects. Methods This study took place from March to May 2020 at the early stage of the pandemic. The study adopted a prospective design, with an online survey administered to 573 UK and 474 US adult residents at two assessment points 2 months apart. Results The prevalence of moderate to severe depression was 36% (bootstrap bias-corrected and accelerated [BCa] 95% CI 33%-39%) at Time 1 (ie, initial time point) and 27% (bootstrap BCa 95% CI 25%-30%) at Time 2 (ie, follow-up time point). The results supported the social capital–accrual hypothesis by showing that the approach coping style was inversely associated with Time 2 depression through its positive associations with both social networking and perceived family support. The results also supported the escape-from-self hypothesis by revealing that the avoidant coping style was positively associated with Time 2 depression through its positive associations with both gaming and cyberbullying victimization, but the serial mediation model was no longer significant after Time 1 depression and some demographic risk factors had been controlled for. Finally, the results supported the time-displacement hypothesis by showing that gaming was positively associated with Time 2 depression through its inverse associations with social networking and perceived family support. Conclusions During the extended stay-at-home period in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of probable depression during the 2-month study period was high among the UK and US residents. Individuals with distinct coping styles may engage in different types of online leisure activities and perceive varying levels of social support, which are associated with risks of probable depression.

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Social Capital and Internet Use: The Irrelevant, the Bad, and the Good

Sociology Compass ◽

10.1111/soc4.12059 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 7 (8) ◽

pp. 599-611 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Barbara Barbosa Neves

Keyword(s):

Social Capital ◽

Internet Use

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Internet Use and Social Capital: The Strength of Virtual Ties

Journal of Economic Issues ◽

10.2753/jei0021-3624440301 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 44 (3) ◽

pp. 569-595 ◽

Cited By ~ 58

Author(s):

Thierry Pénard ◽

Nicolas Poussing

Keyword(s):

Social Capital ◽

Internet Use

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Dietary supplement usage during pregnancy and lactation: role of online social capital and health information-seeking behaviour

British Food Journal ◽

10.1108/bfj-12-2019-0906 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 123 (1) ◽

pp. 31-47

Author(s):

Yam B. Limbu ◽

Marta Giovannetti ◽

Silvio Cardinali

Keyword(s):

Social Capital ◽

Health Information ◽

Dietary Supplement ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Internet Use ◽

Imb Model ◽

Content Type ◽

Supplement Usage ◽

Moderating Role

PurposeThe main objective of this study is to assess the applicability and robustness of the information motivation behavioural skills (IMB) model in determining dietary supplement usage of pregnant and breastfeeding women. More specifically, we examine the indirect effects of online social capital and internet use for health information on dietary supplement usage through self-efficacy and the moderating role of educational attainment.Design/methodology/approachData was collected from 415 pregnant and breastfeeding Italian women using a self-administered questionnaire. Hypotheses were tested using Hayes's (2013) PROCESS macro for SPSS.FindingsInternet use for health information is directly associated with dietary supplement usage. Online social capital and internet use for health information positively influence dietary supplement usage through self-efficacy. However, the results from moderated mediation analyses show that the mediation effects are moderated by educational attainment so that indirect relationships were stronger among women with a lower level of education than among those with a higher level of education.Practical implicationsDietary supplement marketers and public health agencies can develop and implement dietary supplement promotional materials and interventions by disseminating information through the internet and social media and by strengthening social ties on online networking sites.Originality/valueThe originality of this study lies in the use of the IMB model as a theoretical framework to examine the mediating role of self-efficacy and the moderating role of education in explaining the mechanism of how online social capital and internet use for health information influence dietary supplement usage.

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Internet Use Among Older Adults: Association With Health Needs, Psychological Capital, and Social Capital

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/jmir.2333 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 15 (5) ◽

pp. e97 ◽

Cited By ~ 104

Author(s):

Namkee G Choi ◽

Diana M DiNitto

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Capital ◽

Internet Use ◽

Psychological Capital ◽

Health Needs

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Internet Use and Depressive Symptoms Among Chinese Older Adults: The Mediation and Suppression Effects of Social Capital

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.729790 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Zhiyi Li ◽

Mengyao Yang

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Social Capital ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Adult Children ◽

Internet Use ◽

Least Square ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Cognitive Social Capital ◽

Structural Social Capital

Exploring the social factors of mental health among older adults has become a hot topic. This study aimed to examine the relationships between internet use, social capital and depressive symptoms in older adults. Our data were derived from a sample of 6,840 respondents aged 60 and over in the 2018 wave of the China Family Panel Studies. The ordinary least square (OLS) regression results showed that both Internet use characteristics (including access, emotional activities, and online time) and social capital components (including contact with adult children and trust) were protective factors for the prevention of depressive symptoms among older adults. The generalized structural equation modeling (GSEM) results displayed that Internet use not only had a negatively direct effect on depressive symptoms, but also generated a negatively indirect effect on depressive symptoms by structural social capital (i.e., contact with adult children), suggesting that structural social capital mediated the above link. Conversely, the indirect effects of internet use on depressive symptoms via cognitive social capital (i.e., interpersonal trust and institutional trust) were significantly positive, indicating that the relationship between Internet use and depressive symptoms was suppressed by cognitive social capital. These findings address the gaps in previous research on older adults' mental health and have practical implications for policy makers.

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Explaining the environmentally-sustainable consumer behavior: a social capital perspective

Social Responsibility Journal ◽

10.1108/srj-02-2014-0019 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 658-676 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Marigold G. Castaneda ◽

Carmelita P. Martinez ◽

Rodilina Marte ◽

Banjo Roxas

Keyword(s):

Social Capital ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Consumer Behaviour ◽

Environmental Attitudes ◽

The Philippines ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Content Type ◽

Environmentally Sustainable ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Network Activation

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of social capital within a community on the adoption of consumer eco-behaviour or environmentally sustainable behaviour of consumers. The authors draw on the behavioural perspective model (BPM) of consumer behaviour and social capital theory in arguing that social capital shapes a consumer’s knowledge of environmental issues and pro-environmental attitudes, which in turn influence a consumer’s perceived capability to engage in eco-behaviour. Design/methodology/approach – This study uses partial least squares approach to structural equation modelling of survey data involving 1,044 consumers in the Philippines. It involves testing of a measurement model to examine the validity and reliability of the constructs used in the study. This is followed by testing of the structural models to test the hypothesised relationships of the constructs. Findings – The results suggest the substantive influence of social capital on environmental knowledge, pro-environmental attitudes and eco-capability. Both knowledge and attitudes have positive effects on eco-capability, which in turn positively shapes eco-behaviour. Research limitations/implications – Future studies can examine how social capital as a multi-dimensional construct impacts context-specific consumer behaviour. Practical implications – Social and environmental marketing may focus on social network activation to encourage eco-behaviours of consumers. Social implications – Findings highlight the role of social capital within one’s community as a resource channel to encourage environmentally responsible consumer behaviour. Originality/value – The study extends the BPM by offering a social capital view as a more nuanced explanation of consumer eco-behaviour.

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