The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally altered life for individuals worldwide. Specifically, at the time of data collection (late April 2020), most forms of face-to-face interactions were limited and, in some cases, prohibited, as close contact with others increases the rate of transmitting the virus. As social beings, engaging in social distancing may have negative consequences on well-being. However, many individuals maintained their social connections by means of computer-mediated communication (CMC), such as hosting FaceTime happy hours or family reunions. Utilizing a nationally representative sample of 985 adults from the United States, this study investigated the association between social distancing adherence and positive affect and the extent to which this association might be mediated by CMC frequency. Results did not indicate a direct effect of social distancing adherence on positive affect. However, an indirect effect between these two variables occurred when mediated by CMC frequency. Specifically, greater social distancing adherence predicted greater frequency of CMC, which predicted greater positive affect. These findings held controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, relationship status, and income. Results suggest that despite social distancing, CMC may be a beneficial way to engage with others during and, perhaps, beyond COVID-19.

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Because attachment insecurity is associated with higher reports of social media (SM) use, and SM use has been shown to reduce the quality of interpersonal interactions, it is possible that SM use may mediate the association between attachment insecurity and experiences of internal stress (i.e., stress within a relationship). The present study uses daily diary data from 154 participants currently in a romantic relationship. Both concurrent (same day) and lagged (next day) effects were examined. Attachment anxiety was positively associated with experiences of internal stress on day 2 (concurrent effect) and day 3 (lagged effect). Partial support was found for associations with attachment avoidance; those reporting higher attachment avoidance reported higher internal stress on day 3 (lagged effect), but not on day 2 (concurrent effect). SM use did not mediate the association between insecure attachment and internal stress, as hypothesized. Implications and future directions are presented.

This chapter investigates the transformation of traditional face-to-face sexual harassment (SH) to online sexual harassment (OSH). First, an overview of traditional workplace sexual harassment is discussed. Next, the issues of cyberbullying and cyberstalking are presented as a bridge to online sexual harassment, as the two former types of behavior can be seen in online sexual harassment and have both received considerable attention. Then, current research concerning online sexual harassment will be presented, including a discussion of factors that facilitate OSH, social media as a site of harassment, coping strategies, and effects. This concept is worthy of study because online sexual harassment represents a way for the perpetrator to victimize his or her target without the boundaries and restrictions of time, location, or fear of consequence. This chapter concludes with some practical recommendations for organizational leaders to implement to prevent both on- and offline SH from occurring within their company.

This chapter investigates the transformation of traditional face-to-face sexual harassment (SH) to online sexual harassment (OSH). First, an overview of traditional workplace sexual harassment is discussed. Next, the issues of cyberbullying and cyberstalking are presented as a bridge to online sexual harassment, as the two former types of behavior can be seen in online sexual harassment and have both received considerable attention. Then, current research concerning online sexual harassment will be presented, including a discussion of factors that facilitate OSH, social media as a site of harassment, coping strategies, and effects. This concept is worthy of study because online sexual harassment represents a way for the perpetrator to victimize his or her target without the boundaries and restrictions of time, location, or fear of consequence. This chapter concludes with some practical recommendations for organizational leaders to implement to prevent both on- and offline SH from occurring within their company.