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Fontenot HB, Quist KM, Glauberman G, Michel A, Zimet G. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on social media utilization, influences related to parental vaccine decision making, and opinions on trustworthy social media vaccination campaigns: A qualitative analysis. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2024; 20:2311476. [PMID: 38356267 PMCID: PMC10878019 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2311476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
There is a continued need for research to better understand the influence social media has on parental vaccination attitudes and behaviors, especially research capturing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of this study was to explore parents' perspectives related to the impact the pandemic had on 1) social media engagement, 2) vaccine messaging on social media, and 3) factors to guide future intervention development. Between February and March 2022, 6 online, synchronous, text-based focus groups were conducted with parents of adolescents aged 11 to 17 years. Participants who all utilized social media were recruited from across the United States. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. A total of 64 parents participated. Average age was 47 years, and participants were predominantly White (71.9%), female (84.3%), and engaged with social media multiple times per day (51.6%). Participants (95.3%) viewed obtaining all recommended vaccines as important or very important; however, overall vaccination rates for their adolescents were varied (50% ≥1 dose HPV; 59.4% MenACWY; 78.1% Tdap; 65.6% Flu; 81.3% COVID-19). Three themes emerged highlighting the pandemic's impact on parent's (1) general patterns of social media use, (2) engagement about vaccines on social media and off-line behaviors related to vaccination, and (3) perspectives for developing a credible and trustworthy social media intervention about vaccination. Participants reported fatigue from contentious vaccine-related content on social media and desired future messaging to be from recognizable health institutions/associations with links to reputable resources. Plus, providers should continue to provide strong vaccine recommendations in clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin M. Quist
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Gary Glauberman
- School of Nursing, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Alexandra Michel
- School of Nursing, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Gregory Zimet
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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Shay LA, McKenzie A, Avshman E, Savas LS, Shegog R. HPV vaccine-related articles shared on Facebook from 2019 to 2021: Did COVID make a difference? PEC INNOVATION 2024; 4:100301. [PMID: 38962500 PMCID: PMC11219959 DOI: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2024.100301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Objective HPV vaccination is recommended for children beginning at age 9 to prevent several types of cancer. Many parents turn to Facebook for health information. This study describes changes in HPV vaccine-related articles shared on Facebook amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods HPV-related articles shared on Facebook (2019-2021) were collected using Buzzsumo, a social media analytics tool and analyzed using content analysis. Articles were categorized by valence, misinformation, evidence types, persuasive tactics, and framing. We quantified these data and tested for difference by article year. Results Of the 138 included articles, 51% had positive valence towards the vaccine and 36% had negative valence. In 2021, there was a significant increase in positive messaging (72% vs. 44% in 2019/2020; p < 0.01) and misinformation decreased from 50% in 2019 to 24% in 2021 (p = 0.04). Persuasive strategies were more common in 2019 than in later years. Conclusion Despite decreased engagement in 2021, more positive HPV vaccine messaging was observed, although a quarter of articles still contained misinformation. Our results can inform strategies for communicating with parents about the HPV vaccine. Innovation Our study is the first to analyze HPV-related articles linked on Facebook and to assess for differences during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. Aubree Shay
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, 7411 John Smith Dr., Suite 1110, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Ashley McKenzie
- Department of Communication, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - Elaine Avshman
- School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Lara S. Savas
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ross Shegog
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, Houston, TX, USA
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Pacheco J, Gollust SE, Callaghan T, Motta M. A Call for Measuring Partisanship in US Public Health Research. Am J Public Health 2024; 114:772-776. [PMID: 38754062 PMCID: PMC11224640 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2024.307691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Julianna Pacheco
- Julianna Pacheco is with the Department of Political Science, University of Iowa, Iowa City. Sarah E. Gollust is with the Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis. Timothy Callaghan and Matthew Motta are with the Department of Health Law, Policy, and Management at the Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Sarah E Gollust
- Julianna Pacheco is with the Department of Political Science, University of Iowa, Iowa City. Sarah E. Gollust is with the Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis. Timothy Callaghan and Matthew Motta are with the Department of Health Law, Policy, and Management at the Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Timothy Callaghan
- Julianna Pacheco is with the Department of Political Science, University of Iowa, Iowa City. Sarah E. Gollust is with the Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis. Timothy Callaghan and Matthew Motta are with the Department of Health Law, Policy, and Management at the Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Matthew Motta
- Julianna Pacheco is with the Department of Political Science, University of Iowa, Iowa City. Sarah E. Gollust is with the Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis. Timothy Callaghan and Matthew Motta are with the Department of Health Law, Policy, and Management at the Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA
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McKenzie AH, Avshman E, Shegog R, Savas LS, Shay LA. Facebook's shared articles on HPV vaccination: analysis of persuasive strategies. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1679. [PMID: 38915043 PMCID: PMC11197343 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19099-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The current study analyzed articles shared on Facebook between 2019 and 2021 that discuss the HPV vaccine. Results address a gap in knowledge about the persuasive strategies used in HPV vaccine discourse on Facebook. METHODS Using Buzzsumo.com, we collected 138 articles, shared on Facebook between 2019 and 2021, with the highest "engagement scores," or total number of reactions, comments, and shares. Using a content analysis methodology, three independent coders were trained in using the study codebook, achieved acceptable inter-rater reliability (Krippendorf's alpha = 0.811), and coded each article in Atlas.ti. RESULTS Seventy-two articles had a positive valence toward the HPV vaccine, 48 had a negative valence, and 18 were mixed-valence or neutral. Pro-vaccine articles presented a variety of evidence types in support of benefits of HPV vaccination. Pro-vaccine articles primarily originated from national and local news sources. Anti-vaccine articles combined presentation of evidence with persuasive arguments and strategies, such as mistrust of institutions, fear appeals, ideological appeals, presenting a high number of arguments or detail, and minimizing the severity of HPV. Three sources were responsible for producing 62.5% of all anti-vaccine articles in the dataset. Mixed-valence or neutral articles mixed cancer prevention discourse with ideological appeals about protecting parental rights, and were mostly produced by local news outlets. CONCLUSION The results of this study can help health communicators anticipate the types of discourses that vaccine-hesitant parents may have encountered online. Implications and suggestions for practice are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elaine Avshman
- Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Ross Shegog
- UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX, 77054, USA
| | - Lara S Savas
- UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX, 77054, USA
| | - L Aubree Shay
- UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
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Klassen AC, Lee G, Chiang S, Murray R, Guan M, Lo WJ, Hill L, Leader AE, Manganello J, Massey PM. Did the COVID-19 experience change U.S. parents' attitudes towards HPV vaccination? Results from a national survey. Vaccine 2024; 42:1704-1713. [PMID: 38355317 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.01.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the U.S., uptake of the HPV vaccine remains below coverage goals. There is concern that negative reactions to emergency initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccination, may have increased some parents' hesitancy towards all vaccines, including HPV. Understanding how different parent populations view routine vaccination post-pandemic is key to strategic efforts to maintaining and increasing uptake of HPV vaccine. METHODS In early 2022, we recruited an online panel of English-speaking U.S. parents and caregivers, who used the social media platform Twitter and had HPV vaccine-eligible but unvaccinated children age 9-14 years. Respondents completed a 20-minute survey measuring knowledge, attitudes and intentions regarding HPV vaccination for their child, as well as background socio-demographics and health information-seeking practices. Questions regarding experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic included changes in access to preventive care, and perceptions of whether pandemic experiences had positively or negatively affected their attitudes about routine vaccination, with open text capturing reasons for this change. RESULTS Among 557 respondents, 81 % were definitely or likely to vaccinate their child against HPV, with 12 % being uncertain, and 7 % unlikely to vaccinate. Regarding routine vaccination, most (70 %) felt their attitudes had not changed, while 26 % felt more positively, and only 4 % felt more negatively. Reasons for positive attitude change included increased appreciation for vaccines overall, and motivation to proactively seek preventive care for their child. Negative attitude changes stemmed from distrust of COVID-19 public health efforts including vaccine development, and disillusionment with vaccines' ability to prevent disease. In multivariable models, intention to vaccinate was greater among parents reporting greater education, Democratic affiliation, greater religiosity, and urban residence. Negative attitude change due to the pandemic independently predicted reduced HPV vaccination intention, while positive attitude change predicted positive intention. CONCLUSIONS Post-pandemic, most U.S. parents remain committed to vaccinating their children against HPV. However, addressing residual COVID-19 concerns could improve uptake among vaccine-hesitant parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann C Klassen
- Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
| | - Giyoung Lee
- Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Shawn Chiang
- Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Regan Murray
- Department of Counseling, Leadership, and Research Methods, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Mengfei Guan
- Department of Communication, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States
| | - Wen-Juo Lo
- Department of Counseling, Leadership, and Research Methods, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Larry Hill
- Department of Counseling, Leadership, and Research Methods, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Amy E Leader
- Division of Population Science, Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jennifer Manganello
- Department of Health Policy, Management and Behavior, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY), Albany, NY, United States
| | - Philip M Massey
- Department of Community Health Sciences, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Hotez PJ. Global Vaccine Access Demands Combating Both Inequity And Hesitancy. Health Aff (Millwood) 2023; 42:1681-1688. [PMID: 38048497 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2023.00775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
The world's population suffered from lack of access to COVID-19 vaccines. Although inequities in vaccine availability for low- and middle-income countries are widely cited as a component of this lack of access, there is a related but less discussed component: vaccine refusal or hesitancy. Regarding the first component (global vaccine inequities), there are multiple dimensions to this topic and its causes, but for low- and middle-income countries, the most glaring one resulted from upstream science policies that prioritized speed and innovation at the expense of technologies that could be produced by low- and middle-income country vaccine producers. Regarding the second component (vaccine refusal or hesitancy), as COVID-19 waves swept across the United States in 2021, thousands of unvaccinated Americans perished from refusing COVID-19 immunizations. These deaths occurred because of an expanding antiscience ecosystem that now extends into low- and middle-income countries and could block the uptake of new vaccines or routine childhood immunizations. Future vaccine policies must address both elements of global access and their political identities. This recommendation reflects the author's experiences as a vaccine scientist who both develops affordable COVID-19 and neglected disease vaccines and lives on the front lines combating vaccine refusal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Hotez
- Peter J. Hotez , Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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Vraga EK, Brady SS, Gansen C, Khan EM, Bennis SL, Nones M, Tang R, Srivastava J, Kulasingam S. A review of HPV and HBV vaccine hesitancy, intention, and uptake in the era of social media and COVID-19. eLife 2023; 12:e85743. [PMID: 37594016 PMCID: PMC10438906 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization named vaccine hesitancy as one of the top 10 threats to global health. The impact of hesitancy on the uptake of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines was of particular concern, given the markedly lower uptake compared to other adolescent vaccines in some countries, notably the United States. With the recent approval of COVID-19 vaccines, coupled with the widespread use of social media, concerns regarding vaccine hesitancy have grown. However, the association between COVID-related vaccine hesitancy and cancer vaccines such as HPV is unclear. To examine the potential association, we performed two reviews using Ovid Medline and APA PsychInfo. Our aim was to answer two questions: (1) Is COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, intention, or uptake associated with HPV or hepatitis B (HBV) vaccine hesitancy, intention, or uptake? and (2) Is exposure to COVID-19 vaccine misinformation on social media associated with HPV or HBV vaccine hesitancy, intention, or uptake? Our review identified few published empirical studies that addressed these questions. Our results highlight the urgent need for studies that can shift through the vast quantities of social media data to better understand the link between COVID-19 vaccine misinformation and disinformation and its impact on uptake of cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily K Vraga
- Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of MinnesotaMinneapolisUnited States
| | - Sonya S Brady
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public HealthMinneapolisUnited States
| | - Chloe Gansen
- Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of MinnesotaMinneapolisUnited States
| | - Euna Mehnaz Khan
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, University of MinnesotaMinneapolisUnited States
| | - Sarah L Bennis
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public HealthMinneapolisUnited States
| | - Madalyn Nones
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public HealthMinneapolisUnited States
| | - Rongwei Tang
- Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of MinnesotaMinneapolisUnited States
| | - Jaideep Srivastava
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, University of MinnesotaMinneapolisUnited States
| | - Shalini Kulasingam
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public HealthMinneapolisUnited States
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Kohler RE, Wagner RB, Careaga K, Vega J, Btoush R, Greene K, Kantor L. Parents' Intentions, Concerns and Information Needs about COVID-19 Vaccination in New Jersey: A Qualitative Analysis. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1096. [PMID: 37376485 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11061096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2019, the World Health Organization identified vaccine hesitancy as a top ten global health threat, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite local and nationwide public health efforts, adolescent COVID-19 vaccination uptake in the US remains low. This study explored parents' perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccine and factors influencing hesitancy to inform future outreach and education campaigns. METHODS We conducted two rounds of individual interviews via Zoom in May-September 2021 and January-February 2022, with parents of adolescents from the Greater Newark Area of New Jersey, a densely populated area with historically marginalized groups that had low COVID-19 vaccination uptake. Data collection and analysis was guided by the Increasing Vaccination Model and WHO Vaccine Hesitancy Matrix. Interview transcripts were double-coded and thematically analyzed in NVivo. RESULTS We interviewed 22 parents (17 in English, 5 in Spanish). Nearly half (45%) were Black and 41% were Hispanic. Over half (54%) were born outside of the US. Most of the parents described that their adolescents had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. All but one parent had received the COVID-19 vaccine. Despite strong vaccination acceptance for themselves, parents remained hesitant about vaccinating their adolescents. They were mostly concerned about the safety and potential side effects due to the novelty of the vaccine. Parents sought information about the vaccines online, through healthcare providers and authorities, and at community spaces. Interpersonal communication exposed parents to misinformation, though some personal connections to severe COVID-19 illness motivated vaccination. Historical mistreatment by the healthcare system and politicization of the vaccine contributed to parents' mixed feelings about the trustworthiness of those involved with developing, promoting, and distributing COVID-19 vaccines. CONCLUSIONS We identified multilevel influences on COVID-19 vaccine-specific hesitancy among a racially/ethnically diverse sample of parents with adolescents that can inform future vaccination interventions. To increase vaccine confidence, future COVID booster campaigns and other vaccination efforts should disseminate information through trusted healthcare providers in clinical and also utilize community settings by addressing specific safety concerns and promoting vaccine effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Racquel E Kohler
- Center for Cancer Heath Equity, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
- School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Rachel B Wagner
- Center for Cancer Heath Equity, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
- School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Katherine Careaga
- Center for Cancer Heath Equity, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Jacqueline Vega
- Center for Cancer Heath Equity, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
- School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Rula Btoush
- School of Nursing, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Kathryn Greene
- Center for Cancer Heath Equity, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
- School of Communication & Information, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Leslie Kantor
- School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
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Broad perspectives in understanding vaccine hesitancy and vaccine confidence: an introduction to the special issue. J Behav Med 2023; 46:1-8. [PMID: 36802315 PMCID: PMC9942647 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-023-00397-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
The World Health Organization has designated vaccine hesitancy and vaccine confidence among the most pressing issues in global health. The COVID-19 pandemic has made vaccine hesitancy and vaccine confidence particularly salient and urgent. The purpose of this special issue is to highlight a broad range of perspectives on these critical issues. We have included a total of 30 papers that address issues related to vaccine hesitancy and vaccine confidence across multiple levels of the Socio-Ecological Model. We have organized the empirical papers into the following sections: individual-level beliefs, minority health and health disparities, social media and conspiracy beliefs, and interventions. In addition to the empirical papers, three commentaries are included in this special issue.
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Sun X, Li BJ, Zhang H, Zhang G. Social media use for coping with stress and psychological adjustment: A transactional model of stress and coping perspective. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1140312. [PMID: 37034939 PMCID: PMC10075314 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1140312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The psychological well-being of individuals has become an essential issue during the global pandemic. As a pervasive activity for individuals to pull through COVID-19, social media use may play a role in psychological well-being. Drawing on the transactional model of stress and coping, the current study investigated the relationships between COVID-19-related stressors and the use of social media to facilitate specific coping strategies. We further investigated how social media coping strategies impact users' psychological adjustment. Methods We collected the data from 641 quarantined residents through a two-wave survey that was conducted in two cities in China during government-mandated lockdowns. Results The results showed that perceived COVID-19 stress was related to the intensity of social media use for problem-focused coping, socioemotional coping, and mental disengagement. In addition, individuals' psychological adjustment was positively associated with social media use for socioemotional coping and mental disengagement while negatively related to problem-focused coping. Age was also found to be a moderator of the relationship between socioemotional coping and psychological adjustment. Discussion To relieve pandemic-related stress, individuals can actively utilize social media to implement various coping strategies. However, coping activities with social media may not always induce psychological benefits. By revealing the different levels of psychological adjustment among social media users with specific coping strategies, the current research enriched the literature on the effects of social media use on mental health. Findings from this study suggest the need for the prudent use of social media to cope with public health crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobei Sun
- School of Journalism and Communication, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Benjamin J. Li
- Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Heng Zhang
- Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- *Correspondence: Heng Zhang,
| | - Guanwen Zhang
- School of Journalism and Communication, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
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