ABSTRACT
We examined the possibility that social media use during a time of social isolation, the COVID-19 pandemic, might have a more positive impact on the self than we observed prior to the pandemic. We compared the impact of social media use in the spring of 2020 with data obtained from a similar sample in the spring of 2018;contrary to our predictions, using social media was associated with similarly negative outcomes in both samples. In the pandemic sample, using social media for the purpose of connecting with others did, however, attenuate the negative effect of social media use on well-being;in addition, social media use that increased feelings of social connectedness was associated with less negative effects on well-being. Thus, social media continues to exert a negative impact on the self during a time of social isolation but may be less damaging to well-being when used to connect with others. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement This study examined potential benefits and limitations of social media use in combating social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results indicate that although spending 10 min on social media was associated with a negative impact on the self, both before and during the pandemic, the negative impact of social media was attenuated for individuals using social media to directly interact with others. Furthermore, social media use was associated with greater feelings of social connection, reducing its negative impact on overall well-being. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
With the onset of COVID-19, governments around much of the world implemented strict social distancing and stay-at-home orders that profoundly affected the amount of time many couples were spending together. In the present research, we examined whether perceptions of a change in time spent with a partner were associated with stress, and whether stress levels in turn predicted relationship commitment and satisfaction, both in the short term (Time 1) and longer term (Time 2;i.e., after 10 months). Results indicated partial mediation, such that less (vs. more) time spent with the partner was associated with greater stress at Time 1, which in turn partly accounted for lower commitment and relationship satisfaction both at Time 1, and satisfaction at Time 2. Less (vs. more) time spent with partner at Time 1 also predicted a greater likelihood of relationship dissolution at Time 2, again partially mediated by stress. An increase in quality time spent together at Time 2 predicted stress and relationship outcomes over and above the change in time spent together more generally. This research has important implications for understanding the ongoing effects of the pandemic on romantic relationships. In addition, this study provides new evidence regarding how changes in time spent with a partner are associated with stress and subsequent relationship outcomes.
ABSTRACT
This prospective longitudinal study evaluated changes in psychological distress among adolescents, pre-pandemic to intra-pandemic, the extent to which within-person and between-person differences in trait multidimensional perfectionism were associated with such changes, and the role of stress in explaining associations between perfectionism and psychological distress. Adolescents (N = 187; 80% female; 78% White, 7% Asian Canadian, 2% Indigenous Peoples in Canada, 2% Black or African Canadian, 2% Latin Canadian, or 9% Other; Mage = 17.96 years) completed online surveys assessing perfectionism (i.e., self-oriented perfectionism and socially prescribed perfectionism), depression, anxiety, and stress pre-pandemic (i.e., March 12, 2020 or earlier) and during Ontario, Canada's first (i.e., March 13, 2020 to July 24, 2020) and second (December 26, 2020 to February 7, 2021) government-mandated lockdowns. Between-person differences and within-person changes in multidimensional trait perfectionism were associated with increases in psychological distress and perceived stress. Perceived stress served as an intermediary pathway linking multidimensional trait perfectionism to psychological distress during the pandemic.
ABSTRACT
We examined the possibility that social media use during a time of social isolation, the COVID-19 pandemic, might have a more positive impact on the self than we observed prior to the pandemic. We compared the impact of social media use in the spring of 2020 with data obtained from a similar sample in the spring of 2018;contrary to our predictions, using social media was associated with similarly negative outcomes in both samples. In the pandemic sample, using social media for the purpose of connecting with others did, however, attenuate the negative effect of social media use on well-being;in addition, social media use that increased feelings of social connectedness was associated with less negative effects on well-being. Thus, social media continues to exert a negative impact on the self during a time of social isolation but may be less damaging to well-being when used to connect with others. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement This study examined potential benefits and limitations of social media use in combating social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results indicate that although spending 10 min on social media was associated with a negative impact on the self, both before and during the pandemic, the negative impact of social media was attenuated for individuals using social media to directly interact with others. Furthermore, social media use was associated with greater feelings of social connection, reducing its negative impact on overall well-being. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)