THE ROLE OF COVID-19 MEDIA EXPOSURE TO PANIC BUYING WITH ANXIETY AS MEDIATOR

Abstract

Media exposure to traumatic event can cause anxiety. One of the actions taken during COVID-19 to reduce anxiety is panic buying behavior. This study aims to determine the role of media exposure related to COVID-19 on panic buying with coronavirus anxiety as a mediator. This research is conducted in Jabodetabek from September 2021 to April 2022. The population in this study was emerging adulthood (18-25 years old) with a sample of 397 people. Sampling is done by sharing questionnaires using google form through social media. Data analysis uses multiple linear regression techniques. The results showed that most of the respondents were female (58.7%), aged 21 years (43.8%), had a final high school/vocational/equivalent education (66.2%), domiciled in Jakarta (55.2%), had no history of COVID-19 (72.5%), had a family with a history of COVID-19 (51.1%). Based on the results of the main data analysis, it was found that participants in this study had low levels of media exposure, coronavirus anxiety, and panic buying. The results of the analysis showed that there was a significant and positive partial mediation role between media exposure to panic buying with coronavirus anxiety as a mediator variable. It can be concluded that excessive media exposure related to COVID-19 can increase coronavirus anxiety and trigger the emergence of panic buying behavior. Therefore, the government or information spreaders can pay more attention to the spread of valid information to prevent the emergence of panic from rumors and false information.