scholarly journals The Impact of Social Media on Panic During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Iraqi Kurdistan: Online Questionnaire Study

10.2196/19556 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. e19556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Araz Ramazan Ahmad ◽  
Hersh Rasool Murad
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Statistical Correlation ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
News Reports ◽  
Iraqi Kurdistan ◽  
The Impact

Background In the first few months of 2020, information and news reports about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were rapidly published and shared on social media and social networking sites. While the field of infodemiology has studied information patterns on the Web and in social media for at least 18 years, the COVID-19 pandemic has been referred to as the first social media infodemic. However, there is limited evidence about whether and how the social media infodemic has spread panic and affected the mental health of social media users. Objective The aim of this study is to determine how social media affects self-reported mental health and the spread of panic about COVID-19 in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Methods To carry out this study, an online questionnaire was prepared and conducted in Iraqi Kurdistan, and a total of 516 social media users were sampled. This study deployed a content analysis method for data analysis. Correspondingly, data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results Participants reported that social media has a significant impact on spreading fear and panic related to the COVID-19 outbreak in Iraqi Kurdistan, with a potential negative influence on people’s mental health and psychological well-being. Facebook was the most used social media network for spreading panic about the COVID-19 outbreak in Iraq. We found a significant positive statistical correlation between self-reported social media use and the spread of panic related to COVID-19 (R=.8701). Our results showed that the majority of youths aged 18-35 years are facing psychological anxiety. Conclusions During lockdown, people are using social media platforms to gain information about COVID-19. The nature of the impact of social media panic among people varies depending on an individual's gender, age, and level of education. Social media has played a key role in spreading anxiety about the COVID-19 outbreak in Iraqi Kurdistan.

scholarly journals The Impact of Social Media on Panic During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Iraqi Kurdistan: Online Questionnaire Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Araz Ramazan Ahmad ◽  
Hersh Rasool Murad
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Statistical Correlation ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
News Reports ◽  
Iraqi Kurdistan ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND In the first few months of 2020, information and news reports about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were rapidly published and shared on social media and social networking sites. While the field of infodemiology has studied information patterns on the Web and in social media for at least 18 years, the COVID-19 pandemic has been referred to as the first social media <i>infodemic</i>. However, there is limited evidence about whether and how the social media infodemic has spread panic and affected the mental health of social media users. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to determine how social media affects self-reported mental health and the spread of panic about COVID-19 in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. METHODS To carry out this study, an online questionnaire was prepared and conducted in Iraqi Kurdistan, and a total of 516 social media users were sampled. This study deployed a content analysis method for data analysis. Correspondingly, data were analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS Participants reported that social media has a significant impact on spreading fear and panic related to the COVID-19 outbreak in Iraqi Kurdistan, with a potential negative influence on people’s mental health and psychological well-being. Facebook was the most used social media network for spreading panic about the COVID-19 outbreak in Iraq. We found a significant positive statistical correlation between self-reported social media use and the spread of panic related to COVID-19 (<i>R</i>=.8701). Our results showed that the majority of youths aged 18-35 years are facing psychological anxiety. CONCLUSIONS During lockdown, people are using social media platforms to gain information about COVID-19. The nature of the impact of social media panic among people varies depending on an individual's gender, age, and level of education. Social media has played a key role in spreading anxiety about the COVID-19 outbreak in Iraqi Kurdistan.

scholarly journals Impact of Fear of Missing Out on Psychological Well-Being Among Emerging Adulthood Aged Social Media Users

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-30
Author(s):  
Judithya Anggita Savitri
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Reliability Estimation ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Good Reliability ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Fear Of Missing Out ◽  
Correlational Research ◽  
The Impact

This study aimed to find out the impact of Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) FoMO on psychological well-being especially for social media users at the age of emerging adulthood. This study used a quantitative correlational research. The research was conducted through online questionnaire invloving 400 people obtained through accidental sampling method. The data collected using a fear of missing out (FoMO) scale and a psychological well-being scale that had been modified from Przybylski's FoMO scale and Ryff's Psychological well-being scale. The FoMO scale consists of 15 items with good reliability estimation (α = 0.849) and the psychological well-being scale consists of 45 items with also a good reliability estimation (α = 0.941). The data was analyzed using the simple linear regression. The anlysis revealed that FoMO was able to predict psychological well-being (F=43,753; p=0,000 < α 0,05). FoMO can predict psychological well-being with a contribution value of 9,99%. The regression equation line obtained was Y = 154,264 – 0,633X. Further discussion regarding the impact of fear of missing out on psychological well-being among emerging adulthood aged social media users were elaborated.

scholarly journals The Impact of Social Networking Sites on Study Habits and Interpersonal Relationships among Vietnamese Students

2021 ◽  
pp. 221-233
Author(s):  
Vu Van Tuan
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Study Habits ◽  
Quantitative Methodology ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
The Impact

Social media has a profound influence on every aspect of human beings nowadays. This study investigated the impact of social networking sites on study habits and interpersonal relationships at the tertiary level. A total of 125 college students from different universities in Hanoi were chosen through a convenience sampling technique. Quantitative methodology was employed for the research instrument and a descriptive survey design was adopted for this study. The researchers designed questionnaires with Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficients of at least 0.84 to collect data for the study. Analysis of the data was carried out using frequencies, percentages, means, t-tests, and Pearson correlation statistics at the 0.05 alpha level. The findings revealed that students’ level of using social networking sites had a negative influence on their study habits and their interpersonal relationships. Based on the findings, it was recommended that regular orientations should be given to students on how and when to use social media to enhance their study habits or to spend time improving their interpersonal relationships with their families, friends, and teachers.

The Impact of Social Marketing Campaigns on Reducing Mental Health Stigma: Results From the 2009–2014 Time to Change Programme

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 116-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Sampogna ◽  
I. Bakolis ◽  
S. Evans-Lacko ◽  
E. Robinson ◽  
G. Thornicroft ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Social Marketing ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Mental Health Stigma ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Media Channels ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBackgroundIn England, during 2009–2014 the ‘Time to Change’ anti-stigma programme has included a social marketing campaign (SMC) using mass media channels, social media and social contact events but the efficacy of such approach has not been evaluated yet.MethodsThe target population included people aged between mid-twenties/mid-forties, from middle-income groups. Participants were recruited through an online market research panel, before and after each burst of the campaign (with a mean number of unique participants per each burst: 956.9 ± 170.2). Participants completed an online questionnaire evaluating knowledge [Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (MAKS)]; attitudes [Community Attitudes toward Mental Illness (CAMI)]; and behaviours [Reported and Intended Behaviour Scale (RIBS)]. Socio-demographic data and level of awareness of the SMC were also collected.ResultsA total of 10,526 people were interviewed. An increasing usage of the SMC-media channels as well as of the level of awareness of SMC was found (P < 0.001). Being aware of the SMC was found to be associated with higher score at MAKS (OR = 0.95, CI = 0.68 to 1.21; P < 0.001), at ‘tolerance and support’ CAMI subscale (OR = 0.12, CI = 0.09 to 0.16; P < 0.001), and at RIBS (OR = 0.71, CI = 0.51 to 0.92; P < 0.001), controlling for confounders.ConclusionThe SMC represents an important way to effectively reduce stigma. Taking into account these positive findings, further population-based campaigns using social media may represent an effective strategy to challenge stigma.

scholarly journals Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19) Lockdown on Mental Health and Well-Being in the United Arab Emirates

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Cheikh Ismail ◽  
Maysm N. Mohamad ◽  
Mo'ath F. Bataineh ◽  
Abir Ajab ◽  
Amina M. Al-Marzouqi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
University Graduates ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
The Impact

United Arab Emirates (UAE) has taken unprecedented precautionary measures including complete lockdowns against COVID-19 to control its spread and ensure the well-being of individuals. This study investigated the impact of COVID-19 and societal lockdown measures on the mental health of adults in the UAE. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an English and Arabic online questionnaire between May and June 2020. The psychological impact was assessed by the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and the social and family support impact was evaluated using questions from the Perceived Support Scale (PSS). A total of 4,426 participants (3,325 females and 1,101 males) completed the questionnaire. The mean IES-R score was 28.0 ± 14.6, reflecting a mild stressful impact with 27.3% reporting severe psychological impact. Over 36% reported increased stress from work, home and financial matters. Also, 43–63% of the participants felt horrified, apprehensive or helpless due to COVID-19. Females, younger participants, part-timers, and college or University graduates were more likely to have a high IES-R score (p &lt; 0.05). The majority of participants reported receiving increased support from family members, paying more attention to their mental health, and spending more time to rest and relax. The results of this study demonstrate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health among the UAE residents and highlight the need to adopt culturally appropriate interventions for the general population and vulnerable groups, such as females and younger adults.

scholarly journals The Impact of Social Media on Learning Behavior for Sustainable Education: Evidence of Students from Selected Universities in Pakistan

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaffar Abbas ◽  
Jaffar Aman ◽  
Mohammad Nurunnabi ◽  
Shaher Bano
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
University Students ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Learning Behavior ◽  
Student Community ◽  
Sustainable Education ◽  
The Impact

In today’s world, social media is playing an indispensable role on the learning behavior of university students to achieve sustainable education. The impact of social media on sustainable education is becoming an essential and impelling factor. The world has become a global village and technology use has made it a smaller world through social media and how it is changing instruction. This original study is amongst the few to perform a focalized investigation on revealing the relationship between positive and negative characteristics of social media and the learning attitude of university students for sustainable education. However, this study aims to examine the constructive and adverse factors that impact on students’ minds and how these helped students to share positive and negative aspects with others. It is increasingly noticeable that social networking sites and their applications present enormous benefits for as well as risks to university students and their implications on students’ psychological adjustment or learning behaviors are not well understood. This study adapted the cluster sampling method, and respondents participated from five selected regions. Researchers distributed 1013 questionnaires among the targeted sample of university students with an age range of 16 to 35 years, and they collected 831 complete/valid responses. This study applied the social gratification theory to examine students’ behavior practicing social media usage. This study specifically identified 18 adversarial and constructive factors of social media from the previous literature. The findings revealed that the usage of social media in Pakistan has a negative influence on a student’s behavior as compared to positive aspects. Results may not be generalized to the entire student community as findings are specific to the specific respondents only. This study presents a relationship between antithetical and creative characteristics of social media and exhibits avenues for future studies by facilitating a better understanding of web-based social network use.

scholarly journals Cyberbullying and Its Impact on Mental Health of Adolescents

2019 ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Dimpy Mahanta ◽  
Sulakshana Khatoniyar
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Cyber Bullying ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Twelfth Grade ◽  
Descriptive Survey ◽  
The Impact

<p>The impact of social media in the twenty-first century is huge and extensive. Its role is simply impossible to ignore especially with reference to the young people or adolescents. According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, bullying is an aggressive behaviour that seeks to control, harm or threaten others. Cyber-bullying refers to bullying or harassment that takes place in the virtual world such as social networking sites, emails etc., using digital devices like computer, cell-phone and so on. With the onset of technology and the rise of social media, children and adolescents are bringing their bullies home with them. There is no safe zone anymore as this form of bullying can happen at any time, anyplace and any situation.</p><p>The present study was undertaken to find out the association between cyber-bullying and mental health issues of adolescents. In order to achieve this objective, the investigators used a descriptive survey method of research. The population for the study has been defined as the eleventh and twelfth-grade students. The sample comprised of 100 students (50 male and 50 female students), which was selected with the help of incidental sampling technique. Questionnaires were used for data collection. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation was used to find out the relationship (if any) between the variables and Students’ t-test was used to find the gender difference (if any) on the variables mentioned.</p><p>The study reveals that the majority of the student population have been victims or have witnessed cyberbullying and have been involved in bullying others. There is a strong association between cyberbullying and degrading mental health of adolescents. The findings and the implications of the study have been discussed in the paper. </p>

scholarly journals Social and Psychological Consequences of COVID-19 Online Content at a Lockdown Phase—Europe and Asia Comparison

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 9198
Author(s):  
Marta R. Jabłońska ◽  
Karolina Zajdel ◽  
Radosław Zajdel
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Everyday Functioning ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental Well Being

After more than a year in a pandemic world, more than 171 million people worldwide have been infected and over 3.5 million have died. The number of those who have suffered mentally due to the pandemic is well above this number. The virus, lockdowns, forced quarantines, and problems related to jobs and everyday functioning have left their mark on mental health. Additionally, the massive spread of COVID-19 content of varying quality in social media is exacerbating this impact. On the other hand, in times of social distancing, these media are an important link with other people and a source of social support. The impact of the COVID-19 content in social media still requires further exploring. This influence on mental health may also vary geographically. There are more and more reports of discrimination against Asians due to COVID-19. We conducted a survey during lockdown in which 1664 respondents took part. After analyzing the impact of COVID-19 content in social media on the level of life satisfaction, anxiety, and depression, we compared this impact between European and Asian respondents. The results showed that dealing with these contents affects the level of anxiety, depression, and life satisfaction. Although most often these relations turned out to be negative, we have also identified those indicating a positive impact. This was particularly noticeable among Asian respondents, who additionally showed a lower relationship between reading COVID-19 content and their mental well-being than European respondents.

scholarly journals The influence of social networks on psychological functioning of an individual: problem statement

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 117-123
Author(s):  
Danylova T. ◽  
◽  
Hoian I. ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Psychological Functioning ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
The Impact

Nowadays, psychology has entered a new era of its development. This is directly related to a phenomenon of cyberspace, the space in which the digital dimension of modern human life is manifested. Within the context of the development of new technologies around the world, cyberpsychology has emerged. It aims to understand the psychological processes associated with all aspects and features of human behavior in cyberspace. Cyberpsychology is faced with many challenges, and the impact of social media on mental health and psychological well-being is among them. The article attempts to investigate the influence of social networks on psychological functioning of an individual. While some researchers emphasize the positive impact of social networks on psychological well-being, others are focused on the dangers of cyberspace. Recent study suggests that long-term use of social networking sites may be associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness, and low self-esteem. As far as social networks are a relatively new phenomenon, the potential link between their use and mental health and psychological well-being has not yet been properly explored, and the scientific community has not yet been able to fully interpret the results and reach a definite conclusion. The relationship between the use of social networks and psychological functioning is not that simple and unambiguous; it depends on many factors, such as the way to use it, communication patterns, emotional state, comorbidities, self-awareness, motivation, values, attitudes, and preferences. Today, we cannot avoid cyberspace, thus, the health and well-being of both the individual and society depend on our ability to interact effectively within it.

scholarly journals ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECT OF SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE AND COVID-19 PANDEMIC NEWS UPDATES ON THE MENTAL WELL-BEING OF STUDENTS DURING THE LOCKDOWN IN INDIA

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Parikshit Sen ◽  
Vatsala Khurana ◽  
Surajeet Patra ◽  
Binita Goswami ◽  
Nikhil Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Strong Negative Correlation ◽  
Media Usage ◽  
Negative News ◽  
The Government ◽  
Mental Well Being

As a result of the Lockdown imposed by the Government of India, social media usage has considerably increased among students. A constant urge to keep oneself updated with the news regarding the pandemic has also been observed, which has inevitably led to students getting exposed to a constant stream of negative news. To investigate the effect of the time spent on social media and the time spent self-updating on news related to the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental well-being of 138 undergraduate college students, aged 18 to 24. A voluntary online questionnaire using the Affectometer 2 scale was used during the 5th week of the lockdown. We found a strong negative correlation between the time spent on social media and the mental well-being of students, while no statistically significant correlation between the time spent self-updating on COVID-19 related news and mental well-being was found. It is important that students use social media in moderation and find alternative avenues for recreation, to prevent unnecessary stress and potential adverse effects on their mental health, and thus maintain their psychological well-being.

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