Preprint Article Version 2 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Mental Health, Information and Being Connected: Qualitative Experiences of social media use during the Covid-19 pandemic from a trans-national sample

Mariyana Schoultz
* ORCID logo ,
Janni Leung
ORCID logo ,
Tore Bonsaksen
ORCID logo ,
Mary Ruffolo
ORCID logo ,
Hilde Thygesen
,
Daicia Price
,
Amy Østertun Geirdal
ORCID logo
Version 1 : Received: 29 April 2021 / Approved: 11 May 2021 / Online: 11 May 2021 (15:43:12 CEST)
Version 2 : Received: 28 May 2021 / Approved: 31 May 2021 / Online: 31 May 2021 (23:10:36 CEST)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Mariyana, S.; Janni, L.; Tore, B.; Mary, R.; Hilde, T.; Daicia, P.; Amy, G.Ø. Mental Health, Information and Being Connected: Qualitative Experiences of Social Media Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic from a Trans-National Sample. Healthcare 2021, 9, 735. Mariyana, S.; Janni, L.; Tore, B.; Mary, R.; Hilde, T.; Daicia, P.; Amy, G.Ø. Mental Health, Information and Being Connected: Qualitative Experiences of Social Media Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic from a Trans-National Sample. Healthcare 2021, 9, 735.

Abstract

Background Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the strict national policies regarding social distancing behavior in Europe, America and Australia, people became reliant on social media as a means for gathering information and a tool for staying connected to family, friends and work. This is the first trans-national study exploring the qualitative experiences and challenges of using social media while in lockdown or shelter in place during the current pandemic. Methods This study was part of a wider cross-sectional online survey conducted in Norway, UK, USA and Australia during April/May 2020. The manuscript reports on the qualitative free text component of the study asking about the challenges of social media users during the Covid-19 pandemic in UK, USA and Australia. 1991 responses were included in the analysis. Thematic analysis was conducted independently by two researchers. Results Three overarching themes identified were: Emotional/Mental Health, Information and Being Connected. Participants experienced that using social media during the pandemic amplified anxiety, depression, fear, panic, anger, frustration and loneliness. They felt that there was information overload and social media was full of misleading or polarized opinions from which was difficult to switch off. Nonetheless, participants also thought that there was an urge for connection and learning which was positive and stressful and the same time. Conclusion Using social media while in shelter in place or lockdown could have a negative impact on the emotional and mental health of some of the population. To support policy and practice in strengthening mental health care in the community, social media could be used to deliver practical advice on coping and stress management. Communication with the public should be strengthened by unambiguous and clear messages and clear communication pathways. We should be looking at alternative ways of staying connected.

Keywords

social media, Covid-19, cross-sectional, trans-national, mental health, loneliness, pandemic

Subject

Social Sciences, Behavior Sciences

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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