You are not alone: Smartphone use, friendship satisfaction, and anxiety during the COVID-19 crisis

Due to ‘stay-at-home’ measures, individuals increasingly relied on smartphones for social connection and for obtaining information about the COVID-19 pandemic. In a two-wave panel survey ( NTime2 = 416), we investigated associations between different types of smartphone use (i.e., communicative and non-communicative), friendship satisfaction, and anxiety during the first lockdown in Austria. Our findings revealed that communicative smartphone use increased friendship satisfaction over time, validating how smartphones can be a positive influence in difficult times. Friendship satisfaction decreased anxiety after one month, signaling the importance of strong friendship networks during the crisis. Contrary to our expectations, non-communicative smartphone use had no effects on friendship satisfaction or anxiety over time. Reciprocal effects showed that anxiety increased both types of smartphone use over time. These findings are discussed in the context of mobile media effects related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Battling with Depressive Feelings and Suicidal Ideation: Role of Friendships and Effective Coping in Young Individuals From Hunza Valley, Pakistan

The present study aimed at examining the association between psychological distress, coping strategies, friendship (satisfaction and affection), and suicidal ideation among young individuals of Hunza Valley, Pakistan. The sample of the present study consisted of 117 boys and 278 girls (N = 395). The purposive sampling technique was used to select study participants from different schools and colleges of Hunza valley, Pakistan. The measures of the study included Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995), Brief Cope (Carver, 1997), McGill Friendship Questionnaire-Respondent's Affection (Mendelson & Aboud, 2012), and Suicide Ideation Scale (Rudd, 1989). Analysis was carried out using, t-test analysis, regression analysis, and correlation techniques. The findings of the study indicated significant positive relationships between psychological distress (indicated by the presence of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation), avoidant coping, humor, and suicide ideation. The findings further indicated that female adolescents scored higher on psychological distress and friendship satisfaction whereas males scored higher on friendship affection. Multiple regression analysis showed predictive nature of age, avoidance coping, friendship satisfaction, and suicidal ideation in depressive symptoms among adolescents.

Parents, Peers, and Campus Involvement in the Transition to College

The purpose of this research was to examine factors that contribute to a successful transition into college. It acknowledges the importance of parents, peers, and campus involvement during this developmental period. Ninety-six college freshmen were given a series of questionnaires that assessed parental support, friendship quality and friendship satisfaction, and campus involvement. The following outcome variables were examined: loneliness, sense of belongingness, and drug/alcohol use. The results suggest that higher quality friendships and higher satisfaction with friendships were significantly related to lower levels of loneliness. In addition, higher involvement in campus activities was significantly related to lower levels of loneliness. The results also show that higher levels of campus involvement were significantly related to higher levels of school belongingness, alcohol use, and binge drinking. Findings from this study suggest that there are multiple contexts related to adjustment during the transition to college.