Social media has contributed to depression and psychological trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is well-known that these platforms have both negatives and positives.
The time spent at home browsing the internet due to the outbreak of the new coronavirus prompted a study suggesting that reducing social media use can be an effective way to improve mental health. Researchers from Pennsylvania State University and Jinan University found that excessive use of these social networking platforms for information about the viral pandemic was directly linked to cases of depression and secondary psychological trauma.
During the study, the research team examined 320 participants residing in Wuhan, China, in February 2020. Participants completed an online questionnaire that considered how they obtained and shared health information with family, friends, and colleagues using social media. The survey also looked at participants' health behavior changes due to their reliance on social media, with researchers paying special attention to WeChat, the most popular chat app in China. They then employed a five-point response scale to monitor each person's addiction to Facebook, while for WeChat the scale ranged from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree." Emotional, informational, and peer support for participants was evaluated.
The survey results revealed that social media use was somewhat beneficial, providing emotional and informational support and a means to gain peer support regarding COVID-19 related topics. However, the excessive use of social media also led to mental health issues. Consequently, the researchers believe that taking a break from social media might enhance psychological well-being during the pandemic, which is crucial for mitigating the mental health damages caused by the pandemic.
Additionally, researchers assessed symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress using a 21-item scale, where participants rated statements such as "I felt that life was meaningless" or "I don't seem to feel any positive emotions at all" based on their personal feelings. The results showed that over half of the group reported dealing with a certain degree of depression, with nearly 20% classified as experiencing moderate or severe depression. Four out of five survey participants reported low levels of psychological trauma, with 13% facing moderate trauma and 7% suffering from high levels of psychological trauma.
In conclusion, researchers state that using social media as a tool for sharing helpful information with close ones can help alleviate stress. However, too much of a good thing can lead to information overload and increased psychological pressure instead of stress relief.
