Parasocial relationships with audiences’ favorite celebrities: The role of audience and celebrity characteristics in a representative Flemish sample

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie Claessens ◽  
Hilde Van den Bulck
Keyword(s):  
Social Relationships ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Parasocial Interaction ◽  
Combined Model ◽  
Parasocial Relationships ◽  
Cultural Proximity ◽  
Celebrity News ◽  
Insight Into

AbstractThis article provides insight into one form of audience involvement with celebrities: parasocial relationships (PSR). To address several shortcomings in PSR research – focus on TV, confusion between PSI (parasocial interaction) and PSR, use of student samples, neglect of socio-demographic variables – a representative online survey was conducted with 1000 Flemish adults who indicated 382 celebrities as favorites. A new scale reveals that PSR contain two important elements: emotional connections and an analogy with social relationships. Confirming previous research, most favorite celebrities are male, and cultural proximity is especially important for older respondents. In one combined model, respondents’ and celebrities’ (socio-demographic) characteristics are included as potential PSR predictors. This model nuances previous research and reveals that people who are male, older, more lowly-educated, and interested in celebrity news have stronger PSR. Further, stronger PSR are found for local and religious, political, sports, and music celebrities than for film celebrities.

scholarly journals Emerging Adults and COVID-19: The Role of Individualism-Collectivism on Perceived Risks and Psychological Maladjustment

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 3497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Germani ◽  
Livia Buratta ◽  
Elisa Delvecchio ◽  
Claudia Mazzeschi
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Asymptomatic Carrier ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Perceived Risks ◽  
Psychological Maladjustment ◽  
Medical Reports ◽  
Common Goals

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has dramatically changed our habits and routines. Uncertainty, insecurity, instability for the present and future, and reduced autonomy and self-directedness, are common feelings at the time of COVID-19. These aspects are very important during emerging adulthood. In spite of the fact that medical reports suggest that youth are less prone to experience COVID-19 infections, emerging adults might be at higher risk for their psychological adjustment. Emerging adults showed higher concerns about their role as a possible asymptomatic carrier than being positive with COVID-19 themselves. Both worries and concerns about COVID-19 and psychological maladjustment may be related to cultural factors. Individualism, collectivism, equality, and hierarchy seem to be meaningful perspectives to take into account. A total of 1183 Italian emerging adults were asked to fill out an online survey during the second week of the national lockdown in Italy. Results showed they reported an accurate perceived knowledge about COVID-19. At the same time, they showed higher worries and concerns about COVID-19 for their relatives, followed by more general/social worries. The lowest score included worries about COVID-19 related to themselves. State anxiety and stress levels were above the normal cutoff, confirming the challenges that emerging adults are facing during the pandemic. On one hand, emerging adults’ collectivistic orientation was related to higher perceived risks of infection; on the other hand, it predicted lower psychological maladjustment, controlling for socio-demographic variables. The study suggests that to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and decrease levels of psychological maladjustment in emerging adulthood, individuals’ cultural orientation such as the wish of sharing common goals with others, interdependence, and sociability, have to be emphasized and promoted as protective factors.

scholarly journals Persecutory ideation and anomalous perceptual experiences in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak in France: what's left one month later?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Bortolon ◽  
Delphine Capdevielle ◽  
Julien Dubreucq ◽  
stéphane Raffard
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Quality Of Sleep ◽  
Perceived Impact ◽  
Perseverative Thinking ◽  
Sleep Difficulties

Aims: Beyond the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the public's health, the length of lockdown and its possible psychological impacts on populations around the world is heavily debated. However, the consequences of lockdown on psychotic symptoms have not yet been investigated. Methods: An online survey was run from April 13 to May 11, 2020; a total of 728 French subjects from the general population participated. We assessed the perceived impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, length of self-isolation, diagnosis/symptoms/hospitalisation related to the COVID-19 (oneself and family). Paranoid ideations and anomalous perceptual perceptions were assessed via the Paranoia Scale and the Cardiff Anomalous Perceptions Scale. Measures of negative affect, loneliness, sleep difficulties, jumping to conclusion bias, emotion regulation, and perseverative thinking were also included. Results: Final regression model for paranoia indicated that socio-demographic variables, loneliness, cognitive bias, anxiety, repetitive thoughts and hallucinations were associated with paranoia (R2 = 0.43). For hallucinations, clinical variables as well as the quality of sleep, behavioural activation, repetitive thoughts, and paranoia were associated with hallucinations in our sample (R2 = 0.27). Neither length of self-isolation nor the perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with psychotic experiences in the final models. Conclusions: No evidence was found between a significant impact of self-isolation on psychotic symptoms in the general population in France one month after the lockdown. It nevertheless confirms the preeminent role of several factors previously described in the maintenance and development of psychotic symptoms in the context of a pandemic and lockdown measures.

scholarly journals Well-Being and Loneliness in Swiss Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Social Relationships

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birthe Macdonald ◽  
Gizem Hülür
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Stressful Event ◽  
Functional Feature ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background and Objectives The current COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures are an extreme stressor that might result in negative emotional experiences and feelings of loneliness. However, it is possible that social relationships might have a protective effect. In the present study, we examine how the COVID-19 pandemic affected older adults’ well-being and loneliness, and the role of structural and functional characteristics of social relationships. Research Design and Methods We use data from 99 older adults in Switzerland who participated (a) in a three-week micro-longitudinal study on social relationships and well-being in 2019 and (b) in a weekly online survey during four weeks of the COVID-19 lockdown. Results Our findings show that the global pandemic had substantial adverse effects on older adults’ emotional well-being and loneliness. In addition, aspects of social relationships were related to loneliness both before and during the pandemic. Only one functional feature of social relationships (satisfaction with communication during the pandemic) buffered adverse effects of the major stressful event. Discussion and Implications Although the social distancing measures during COVID-19 presented a major stressor for older adults’ well-being and loneliness, being able to maintain social communication to a satisfactory level during that time reduced this effect. Therefore, enabling older adults to stay in touch with their social circle based on their personal preferences might reduce the impact that any future lockdown might have on their well-being.

Customer Satisfaction as Basis for E- Marketing Leadership (A Study Based on Marital Diversity)

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bodh Raj Sharma ◽  
Saransh Gupta ◽  
Ankit Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Purposive Sampling ◽  
Online Shoppers ◽  
Northern City

This study highlights the role of satisfaction for building e-marketing leadership and empirically explores the differences in the customer satisfaction of online buyers. The study tries to discern how segmenting the customer based on marital status may help the online marketers for effective leadership and competitive advantage in the modern globalized market. An online survey instrument was administered to a sample of 200 online buyers from a northern city of India. The respondents were contacted both personally as well as through the emails, social media like Facebook, Whatsapp etc. The instrument comprised items related to online satisfaction along with few variables of demographic variables. The study employed purposive sampling which is appropriate for exploratory type of studies. The findings indicate that online shoppers are moderately satisfied from e-retailers. It is suggested that e-retailers must address issues of customers vibrantly so that customers become highly satisfied which ultimately leads to e-marketing leadership.

scholarly journals Vitamin Nature: How Coronavirus Disease 2019 Has Highlighted Factors Contributing to the Frequency of Nature Visits in Flanders, Belgium

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aline Lenaerts ◽  
Sofie Heyman ◽  
Annelies De Decker ◽  
Laura Lauwers ◽  
Ann Sterckx ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Relationships ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Public Events ◽  
The People ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

Visiting nature is positively associated with physical and mental well-being. The role of nature became more pronounced during the coronavirus outbreak in the spring of 2020. Countries all over the world implemented confinement measures to reduce the transmission of the virus. These included but were not limited to the cancelation of public events, schools, and non-essential businesses and the prohibition of non-essential travels. However, going outside to exercise was recommended by the Belgian government. During this period, we conducted an online survey to determine if people visit nature more frequently than before and to identify the factors that contribute to this. The results are based on data from 11,352 participants in Flanders, Belgium. With the use of a bivariate and multiple regression analysis, results indicate that people visit nature more frequently than before and that nature helped to maintain social relationships during the coronavirus period. Gardens were reported to be the most popular place, followed by parks. More than half of the people experienced nature in a more positive way, and the belief that nature visits are important for general health increased. In addition, we found a positive association between nature visits and home satisfaction, as well as a positive association with subjective mental and physical health. Lastly, we identified several demographic factors contributing to the frequency of nature visits such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Our findings indicate the importance of nature visits for general well-being and highlight the need for nearby green infrastructure.

YouTube celebrities and parasocial interaction: Using feedback channels in mediatized relationships

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 554-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Rihl ◽  
Claudia Wegener
Keyword(s):  
Public Sphere ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Parasocial Interaction ◽  
Online Video ◽  
Parasocial Relationships ◽  
The Public ◽  
Feedback Channels ◽  
The Public Sphere

Young media consumers are increasingly using online video platforms, as YouTube in particular registers extremely high numbers of viewers and subscribers. These numbers then increase the popularity of the celebrities who present themselves in the videos on the platform. With their far-reaching influence, through involvement in the public sphere as well as broad marketing concepts, they draw in viewers and gain attention worldwide. It can thus be understood that YouTube users also form a bond with the celebrities featured online, as formulated theoretically in the concept of parasocial relationships. In this study, an exploratory online survey examines quantitatively whether these parasocial relationships are predominantly formed with YouTubers via the platform’s feedback channels. As the results show, however, the strength of these parasocial relationships is not influenced to any great extent by use of the feedback functions.

scholarly journals Physical Distancing and Hand Washing During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The role of fear, perceived seriousness, and health knowledge

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian U. Krägeloh ◽  
Mohsen Alyami ◽  
Hussain Alyami ◽  
Mohammed Alwaily ◽  
Ahmed M. Alhuwaydi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Hand Washing ◽  
Present Sample ◽  
Perceived Seriousness ◽  
Survey Analyses

Abstract Background: To reduce the spread of COVID-19, physical distancing and hand washing has been widely promoted. However, more work is needed to understand the predictors of compliance with such health behaviors, such as fear of COVID-19. Methods: The Fear of COVID-19 Scale was administered to a sample of 1,029 Saudi participants recruited for an online survey. Analyses explored associations between fear of COVID-19 with demographic variables, frequency of physical distancing and hand washing, as well as perceived seriousness of COVID-19, and knowledge of recommended health behaviors and government restrictions. Results: Frequency of physical distancing and hand washing was overall very high. Fear of COVID-19 did not predict health behaviors. Knowledge of government restrictions predicted both physical distancing and hand washing, while perceived seriousness of COVID-19 also had a weak association with hand washing.Conclusion: Pandemic-related health behaviors such as physical distancing and hand washing do not appear to be motivated by fear in the present sample from Saudi Arabia. Interventions aimed at increasing compliance with recommended health behaviors thus benefit more from provision of relevant information.

Predictors of parasocial interaction and relationships in live streaming

2021 ◽  
pp. 135485652110278
Author(s):  
Caitlin McLaughlin ◽  
Donghee Yvette Wohn
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Parasocial Interaction ◽  
Live Streaming ◽  
Parasocial Relationships ◽  
Source Characteristics ◽  
The Past ◽  
Parasocial Relationship ◽  
The Media ◽  
Current Article ◽  
Parasocial Interactions

The purpose of the current article was to explore parasocial phenomena in the unique and interactive context of live streaming. Specifically, the predictors of parasocial interactions (PSIs) and parasocial relationships (PSRs) were compared. In the past, the terms ‘parasocial interaction’ and ‘parasocial relationship’ have been used interchangeably, even though they are distinct constructs – which has confused researchers’ understanding of these phenomena. The current study aims to begin to disentangle our understanding of these two constructs by studying the predictors for each construct separately. An online survey was utilized to collect data on PSRs, PSIs, and various parasocial predictors that fell into three categories: streamer (source) characteristics, viewer characteristics, and behavioral (relationship) characteristics. Results indicate that streamer characteristics were the most important predictors of both PSIs and PSRs in the live streaming context, although characteristics of the viewer and relationship were also influential. These findings indicate that message sources can modify their content to encourage parasocial phenomena in their audience. This is encouraging, as research suggests that parasocial phenomena lead to many positive repercussions for the media and so are generally considered a goal of media personae.

Social Motives Predict Loneliness During a Developmental Transition

2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 145-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Nikitin ◽  
Alexandra M. Freund
Keyword(s):  
Social Relationships ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Avoidance ◽  
Social Approach ◽  
Social Motives ◽  
Developmental Transitions ◽  
Avoidance Motivation ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Low Levels

Abstract. Establishing new social relationships is important for mastering developmental transitions in young adulthood. In a 2-year longitudinal study with four measurement occasions (T1: n = 245, T2: n = 96, T3: n = 103, T4: n = 85), we investigated the role of social motives in college students’ mastery of the transition of moving out of the parental home, using loneliness as an indicator of poor adjustment to the transition. Students with strong social approach motivation reported stable and low levels of loneliness. In contrast, students with strong social avoidance motivation reported high levels of loneliness. However, this effect dissipated relatively quickly as most of the young adults adapted to the transition over a period of several weeks. The present study also provides evidence for an interaction between social approach and social avoidance motives: Social approach motives buffered the negative effect on social well-being of social avoidance motives. These results illustrate the importance of social approach and social avoidance motives and their interplay during developmental transitions.

Testing the Strain Theory of Suicide – The Moderating Role of Social Support

Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bob Lew ◽  
Ksenia Chistopolskaya ◽  
Yanzheng Liu ◽  
Mansor Abu Talib ◽  
Olga Mitina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Strain Theory ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Psychological Strains ◽  
Moderating Role

Abstract. Background: According to the strain theory of suicide, strains, resulting from conflicting and competing pressures in an individual's life, are hypothesized to precede suicide. But social support is an important factor that can mitigate strains and lessen their input in suicidal behavior. Aims: This study was designed to assess the moderating role of social support in the relation between strain and suicidality. Methods: A sample of 1,051 employees were recruited in Beijing, the capital of China, through an online survey. Moderation analysis was performed using SPSS PROCESS Macro. Social support was measured with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and strains were assessed with the Psychological Strains Scale. Results: Psychological strains are a good predictor of suicidality, and social support, a basic need for each human being, moderates and decreases the effects of psychological strains on suicidality. Limitations: The cross-sectional survey limited the extent to which conclusions about causal relationships can be drawn. Furthermore, the results may not be generalized to the whole of China because of its diversity. Conclusion: Social support has a tendency to mitigate the effects of psychological strains on suicidality.

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