Mental Health, Information and Being Connected: Qualitative Experiences of Social Media Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic from a Trans-National Sample

Abstract

Background: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the strict national policies regarding social distancing behavior in Europe, America and Australia, people became reliant on social media as a means for gathering information and as a tool for staying connected to family, friends and work. This is the first trans-national study exploring the qualitative experiences and challenges of using social media while in lockdown or shelter-in-place during the current pandemic. Methods: This study was part of a wider cross-sectional online survey conducted in Norway, the UK, USA and Australia during April/May 2020. The manuscript reports on the qualitative free-text component of the study asking about the challenges of social media users during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK, USA and Australia. A total of 1991 responses were included in the analysis. Thematic analysis was conducted independently by two researchers. Results: Three overarching themes identified were: Emotional/Mental Health, Information and Being Connected. Participants experienced that using social media during the pandemic amplified anxiety, depression, fear, panic, anger, frustration and loneliness. They felt that there was information overload and social media was full of misleading or polarized opinions which were difficult to switch off. Nonetheless, participants also thought that there was an urge for connection and learning, which was positive and stressful at the same time. Conclusion: Using social media while in a shelter-in-place or lockdown could have a negative impact on the emotional and mental health of some of the population. To support policy and practice in strengthening mental health care in the community, social media could be used to deliver practical advice on coping and stress management. Communication with the public should be strengthened by unambiguous and clear messages and clear communication pathways. We should be looking at alternative ways of staying connected.

Problematic versus reflective use: Types of social media use as determinants of mental health among young Filipino undergraduates

“…During the time of COVID-19, individuals had been forced to use social media for work, study, and other social activities due to pandemic-induced confinement 44 ; this increased dependence on social media may have triggered its negative effect on mental health. 45 Moreover, social media detoxification arguably related to COVID-19 information avoidance has been linked to positive psychological outcomes among youth in the Philippines. 46 …”

Students’ Mental Health, Well-Being, and Loneliness during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-National Study

“…Each country had their own project lead, according to the country-specific rules. The survey was developed by the researchers in two languages simultaneously: Norwegian and English, and was based on a previous survey conducted by the research group in the early phase (April 2020) of the pandemic outbreak [ 18 , 19 , 22 , 23 , 24 ] Language and cultural differences were considered during the survey development process. This means that the Norwegian phrasing of each item would convey the same content as the corresponding English item, while considering the different grammatical structures and nuances in the culturally embedded meaning of words allowed us to use the phrase that would most effectively convey the meaning in each of the languages.…”

“…At the same time, the circulating information can be fused with rumors and misinformation, which can be difficult to differentiate [ 17 ]. The constant stream of coverage about the COVID-19 outbreak, along with the spread of misinformation, creates fear, anxiety and stress [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Moreover, social media use has been shown to relate differently to loneliness among people in different age groups, with more social media use being linked with more loneliness among those of younger age [ 20 ].…”

Pandemia COVID 19 agravada por la infoxicación digital, valoración en la población del distrito Tumbes Perú

“…Diversos autores reportan que el uso de medios de comunicación digitales, como las redes sociales, cuando se está en una situación de encierro o refugio, tienen un impacto negativo en la salud emocional y mental de la población (Schoultz et al, 2021). En este estudio, cuando los participantes responden preguntas sobre las emociones que les despierta conocer los datos relacionados con la pandemia, 4 de cada 10 personas alcanzan niveles altos de preocupación, angustia, ansiedad y miedo.…”

“…escasez de fuentes oficiales fiables y dificultad para contrarrestar la incertidumbre asociada y para afrontar la gran cantidad de información confusa, contradictoria y constantemente actualizada, junto a la incapacidad para filtrar la información irrelevante.En este sentido, diversos estudios señalan que la información contradictoria produce en los usuarios un aumento en los niveles de angustia, que puede generar la aparición de temores, sobre todo en personas con baja tolerancia a la incertidumbre, es decir con dificultad para manejar informaciones ambiguas, o miedo a lo desconocido(Schoultz et al, 2021;Baerg y Bruchmann, 2022). Asimismo, de la sobrecarga de información se desencadena fatiga hacia los medios sociales, reportándose como un factor predictor del estrés emocional y de la ansiedad social, asociado positivamente con el desarrollo de sentimientos de soledad, ansiedad, depresión, estrés, ira, miedo, pánico y frustración.…”