Social Media as Source of Information, Stress Symptoms, and Burden Caused by Coronavirus (COVID-19) A Cross-National Investigation of Predictors
European Psychologist
; 26(4):373-386, 2021.
Article
in English
| Web of Science | ID: covidwho-1616948
ABSTRACT
This cross-national study investigated the extent of social media use (SMU) as a source of information about COVID-19, and its relationship with the experienced burden caused by the pandemic. Representative data from eight countries (France, Germany, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, the UK, the USA) were collected online (end of May to the beginning of June 2020). Of the overall 8,302 participants, 48.1% frequently used social media (SM) as a COVID-19 information source (range 31.8% in Germany, to 65.4% in Poland). In the overall samples and in all country-specific samples, regression analyses revealed the experienced burden caused by COVID-19 to be positively associated with SMU and stress symptoms. Furthermore, stress symptoms partly mediated the relationship between SMU and the burden. The results emphasize the significant association between the use of SM as a source of information, individual emotional state, and behavior during the pandemic, as well as the significance of conscious and accurate use of SM specifically during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
Web of Science
Type of study:
Prognostic study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Language:
English
Journal:
European Psychologist
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
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