Social Media, Anxiety and COVID-19 Lockdown Measurement Compliance

Abstract

The aim of the present research was to analyze the effect of anxiety levels during the COVID-19 pandemic in the use of social media and compliance with lockdown measures during the confinement. A total of 1723 participants (32.1% males and 77.9% females; 32.6 ± 9.2 years) were interviewed by a Spanish version of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. From the results obtained, the sample was divided into two 50th percentile groups, a high anxiety group (HAG) and a low anxiety group (LAG). We found how the LAG had lower use of social networks such as Facebook and Twitter during confinement. Also, this group presented a higher rate of leaving home during the confinement and higher values in people with whom they had lived with during confinement than high anxiety group. Regardless of the lack of results in the remaining variables, the present study nuances the high levels of anxiety experienced during COVID-19 confinement. The multifactorial analysis of factors related to the perception of anxiety during COVID-19 confinement may be a useful tool to measure multiple social behaviors when examining mental health factors. Thus, explaining and preventing the psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The present knowledge could be used to determine key intervention factors for reducing the perception of fear and anxiety.

Psychological Impacts of Teaching Models on Ibero-American Educators during COVID-19

“…Certainly, previous studies have provided valuable insights into the multifaceted impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on various aspects of the academic community. For instance, previous research emphasized the role of social media and anxiety in compliance with pandemic-related measures, providing insights into the intricate relationship between digital communication and individuals' mental well-being during lockdowns [44]. Meanwhile, other authors delved into cultural differences among university students in terms of online learning quality and psychological profiles, further underlining the role of culture in adapting to remote education [45].…”

Navigating the New Normal: Adapting Online and Distance Learning in the Post-Pandemic Era

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted society not only through its biological effects [83] but also through psychological [84], social aspects [85,86], and the accompanying misinformation campaign [87]. This multifaceted impact has affected all social systems, including healthcare [88] and, as discussed in this article, education [20,89,90].…”

Latin American perceptions of fear and exaggeration transmitted by the media with regard to COVID-19: frequency and association with severe mental pathologies

“…Another research indicated a significant prevalence of mental health issues that were positively linked with frequent social media engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic (Gao et al, 2020 ). Rodriguez-Besteiro et al ( 2023 ) affirmed in their study that people who had higher levels of anxiety during the confinement by COVID-19 complied more with the confinement, which might have led to a greater consumption of social networks (Rodriguez-Besteiro et al, 2023 ).…”