Investigating mediated effects of fear of COVID-19 and COVID-19 misunderstanding in the association between problematic social media use, psychological distress, and insomnia
Lin CY, Broström A, Griffiths MD, Pakpour AH
Internet interventions · 145 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Cross-sectional study (classified by our AI screen)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
Based on full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2020-08-26 · Internet Interv · vol. 21 · p. 100345
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Cited
- 275 citations · more than 99% of similar papers · 19.1× the field average
- Impact
- Top 10% most cited in its field
- References
- 33 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- COVID-19 and Mental Health · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Mental Health via Writing
- Keywords
- social media addiction, psychological distress, insomnia, fear of COVID-19, mediation, young adults, COVID-19 pandemic, health misinformation
4 authors
From HK, SE, GB, IR
- Chung‐Ying LinHong Kong Polytechnic University
- Anders BroströmLinköping University Hospital; Jönköping University
- Mark Damian GriffithsNottingham Trent University
- Amir H. Pakpour · correspondingQazvin University of Medical Sciences; Jönköping University
Abstract
Introduction
Due to the serious situation of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) worldwide, many countries have implemented policies to minimize the spread of COVID-19 infection. However, some of these policies prevent people from physical contact. Consequently, many individuals may rely on social media to obtain information concerning COVID-19. Unfortunately, social media use (especially problematic social media use) may give rise to psychological distress. Therefore, this study thus examined potential psychopathology to explain the association between problematic social media use, psychological distress, and insomnia.
Methods
Utilizing an online survey, a sample of Iranian young adults (n = 1078 with 628 males; mean age = 26.24 years [SD ± 7.41]) completed questions and psychometric scales concerning psychological distress, insomnia, problematic social media use, fear of COVID-19, and COVID-19 misunderstanding.
Results
Problematic social media use was significantly associated with psychological distress both directly and indirectly. The indirect effects were through fear of COVID-19 (unstandardized coefficient [B] = 0.177; Bootstrapping SE = 0.026) and COVID-19 misunderstanding (B = 0.060; Bootstrapping SE = 0.014). Problematic social media use was significantly associated with insomnia both directly and indirectly. The indirect effect was through fear of COVID-19 (B = 0.062; Bootstrapping SE = 0.019) but not COVID-19 misunderstanding (B = 0.012; Bootstrapping SE = 0.014).
Discussion/conclusion
Due to the pressure of the COVID-19 outbreak, individuals are highly likely to develop psychological distress and insomnia. Apart from developing appropriate health policies to minimize the spread of COVID-19 infection, healthcare providers should design appropriate online campaigns to eliminate people's fear of COVID-19 and to diminish misunderstanding concerning COVID-19.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
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