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dc.contributor.authorSchoultz, Mariyana
dc.contributor.authorLeung, Janni
dc.contributor.authorBonsaksen, Tore
dc.contributor.authorRuffolo, Mary
dc.contributor.authorThygesen, Hilde
dc.contributor.authorPrice, Daicia
dc.contributor.authorGeirdal, Amy Østertun
dc.date.accessioned2021-11-03T14:16:17Z
dc.date.available2021-11-03T14:16:17Z
dc.date.created2021-06-09T13:40:25Z
dc.date.issued2021
dc.identifier.citationHealthcare. 2021, 9 (6), 735-?.en_US
dc.identifier.issn2227-9032
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/11250/2827675
dc.description.abstractAbstract: 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 as 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, the 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 the UK, USA and Australia. A total of 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 which were difficult to switch off. Nonetheless, participants also thought that there was an urge for connection and learning, which was positive and stressful at the same time. Conclusion: Using social media while in a 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.en_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.rightsNavngivelse 4.0 Internasjonal*
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.no*
dc.titleMental Health, Information and Being Connected: Qualitative Experiences of social media use during the Covid-19 pandemic from a trans-national sampleen_US
dc.typePeer revieweden_US
dc.typeJournal articleen_US
dc.description.versionpublishedVersionen_US
dc.source.pagenumber735-?en_US
dc.source.volume9en_US
dc.source.journalHealthcareen_US
dc.source.issue6en_US
dc.identifier.doi10.3390/healthcare9060735
dc.identifier.cristin1914835
cristin.ispublishedtrue
cristin.fulltextoriginal
cristin.qualitycode1


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Navngivelse 4.0 Internasjonal
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as Navngivelse 4.0 Internasjonal