COVID-19 Stress and Depression: Examining Social Media, Traditional Media, and Interpersonal Communication. Issue 2 (17th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: First, Jennifer M.; Shin, Haejung; Ranjit, Yerina S.; Houston, J. Brian
• Is Part Of: Journal of loss and trauma. Volume 26:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 101
• Page End: 115
• Publication Date: 2021-02-17
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- mental health -- media -- interpersonal communication; Loss (Psychology) -- Periodicals; Adjustment (Psychology) -- Periodicals; Life change events -- Periodicals; Interpersonal relations -- Periodicals; 154.4
• DOI: 10.1080/15325024.2020.1835386
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1532-5024

Abstract

Abstract: Prior research has found that infectious disease outbreaks such as that of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are associated with adverse mental health, especially among individuals with more exposure to COVID-19. Less studied are the possible relationships of media use and interpersonal communication as they relate to COVID-19 exposure and mental health outcomes. In the current study, a structural equation model tested the direct and indirect relationships of a variety of proximity variables including COVID-19 exposure, media use (traditional and social), and interpersonal communication on stress and depression with a U.S. sample of 1, 545 adults. Results found that COVID-19 exposure had a direct effect on stress and an indirect effect on stress and depression through media use (traditional and social) and interpersonal communication.