Social Media Use and Its Associations With Mental Health 9 Months After the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Cross-National Study.

Hilde Thygesen,Janni Leung,Amy Østertun Geirdal,Mariyana Schoultz,Mary Ruffolo,Tore Bonsaksen,Daicia Price

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.752004

Abstract

BackgroundThe covid-19 pandemic has impacted the health and well-being of millions across the globe. Strict social distancing policies and periodic lockdowns has led to an increased reliance on alternative online means of communication, including social media.Objectivesto examine (i) social media use and mental health in the general population 9 months after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and (ii) mental health in relation to motives for and extent of social media use, while adjusting for sociodemographic variables.MethodsA cross-national online survey was conducted in Norway, UK, USA and Australia. Participants (n = 3,474) reported extent of and motives for social media use and completed the 12-item General Health Questionnaire. The data were analyzed by chi-square tests, one-way analyses of variance, and multiple linear regression analysis.ResultsPoorer mental health was associated with using social media to decrease loneliness and for entertainment motives, while better mental health was associated with using social media for personal contact and maintaining relationships. Overall increased daily time on social media was associated with poorer mental health. The social media use variables were responsible for a substantial proportion of the outcome variance explained. These findings were consistent across the four countries, with only minor variations.ConclusionsMotives for using, and time spent using, social media were associated with the participants' mental health. Guidance and recommendations for social media usage to the general public for prevention and intervention for behavioral health may be beneficial.

Highlights

The coronavirus pandemic has affected the lives of millions of people in various ways [1]
The aims of this study were to examine the associations between social media use and mental health in the general population 9 months after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, and to examine mental health in relation to motives for- and time spent on social media use, while adjusting for sociodemographic variables
In the adjusted model for the whole sample, poorer mental health was associated with using social media to decrease loneliness and for entertainment motives, while better mental health was associated with using social media for personal contact and maintaining relationships

Summary

Introduction

The coronavirus pandemic has affected the lives of millions of people in various ways [1]. A key element of these measures for individuals has been to reduce social contacts outside of the household or living situation. The severity of the rules of social distancing has varied across regions and countries over time, as infectionrates have gone up or down. People have been asked to reduce the number of contacts with individuals who are not a part of their household [3]. Many shops, restaurants and pubs have been closed for in-person gatherings, as well as many cultural- and social arenas, including cinemas and theaters, indoor sports activities and religious gatherings. Strict social distancing policies and periodic lockdowns has led to an increased reliance on alternative online means of communication, including social media

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