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Jiang S, Zhang L. Perceived stress of COVID-19 pandemic and problematic mobile phone use during quarantine conditions among Chinese adolescents: a mediated moderation model. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1333869. [PMID: 38362249 PMCID: PMC10868676 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1333869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The relation between perceived general stress and problematic mobile phone use (PMPU) has been well established. With the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the present study was designed to examine the association between perceived stress of COVID-19 as a kind of event-related stress and PMPU, and the mechanisms underlying this relation. Participants were 724 adolescents ranging from 12 to 16 years old (M = 13.28, SD = 1.05) who completed four online questionnaires addressing perceived stress of COVID-19, search for meaning in life, escapism motivation, and PMPU. The results revealed that escapism motivation mediated the relationship between perceived stress of COVID-19 and PMPU. In addition, search for meaning in life played a moderating role between perceived stress of COVID-19 and escapism motivation. These findings extend the literature by addressing how and under what conditions perceived stress of COVID-19 can contribute to PMPU. We discussed the implications for developing targeted intervention programs aimed at reducing PMPU among adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyang Jiang
- Department of Psychology, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, China
| | - Lifan Zhang
- School of Education, Yunnan Minzu University, Yunnan, China
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Medved S, Palavra IR, Gerlach J, Levaj S, Shields-Zeeman L, Bolinski F, Bradaš Z, Madžarac Z, Filipčić I, Rojnić Kuzman M. Changes in substance use and engagement in gaming/gambling in persons with severe mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic and earthquakes: a community study in two points. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1264875. [PMID: 38169718 PMCID: PMC10758456 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1264875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction External stressors, such as COVID-19 pandemic and earthquake, can cause an increase in substance use and addictive behavior in persons with severe mental illnesses (SMI). We analyzed the changes and predictors of substance use and addictive behavior in SMI during these double disasters in Croatia. Methods Questionnaires exploring the presence of substance or behavior addiction disorder, mental ill health [Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised], coping mechanisms, and perceived social support [Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)] were administered among 90 participants with SMI included in the RECOVER-E study in May/June 2020 (first COVID-19 wave, Zagreb earthquake) and in December 2020/January 2021 (second COVID-19 wave, Petrinja earthquake). Results In both time points, a major increase was observed in tobacco smoking (25.0%; 28.6%, respectively) predicted by discontinuation of antidepressants and higher DASS-21 score. Increased sedative use was observed (24.4%; 23.8%, respectively) predicted by higher PSS and ISI scores, lower MSPSS scores, antipsychotic discontinuation and not receiving community mental health team (CMHT) service. Discussion In persons with SMI during a double disaster special attention needs to be given to reducing mental-ill health and stress, providing social support and continuity of psychiatric care, through medications and CMHTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Medved
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | | | - Sarah Levaj
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Laura Shields-Zeeman
- Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction (Trimbos Institute), Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Felix Bolinski
- Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction (Trimbos Institute), Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Zoran Bradaš
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Zoran Madžarac
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Igor Filipčić
- University Psychiatric Hospital Sveti Ivan, Zagreb, Croatia
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Martina Rojnić Kuzman
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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Gong C, Ren Y. PTSD, FOMO and fake news beliefs: a cross-sectional study of Wenchuan earthquake survivors. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2213. [PMID: 37946134 PMCID: PMC10636930 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17151-z] [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: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) sufferers show problematic patterns of Internet use such as fear of missing out (FOMO) and sharing misinformation and fake news. This study aimed to investigate these associations in survivors of the 2008 earthquake in Wenchuan, China. METHODS A self-reported survey was completed by 356 survivors of the Wenchuan earthquake. A mediated structural equation model was constructed to test a proposed pattern of associations with FOMO as a mediator of the relationship between PTSD symptoms and belief in fake news, as well as moderators of this pathway. RESULTS PTSD was directly associated with believing fake news (β = 0.444, p < .001) and with FOMO (β = 0.347, p < .001). FOMO mediated the association between PTSD and fake news belief (β = 0.373, p < .001). Age moderated the direct (β = 0.148, t = 3.097, p = .002) and indirect (β = 0.145, t = 3.122, p = .002) pathways, with effects more pronounced with increasing age. Gender was also a moderator, with the indirect effect present in females but not in males (β = 0.281, t = 6.737, p < .001). CONCLUSION Those with higher PTSD symptoms are more likely to believe fake news and this is partly explained by FOMO. This effect is present in females and not males and is stronger in older people. Findings extend knowledge of the role of psychological variables in problematic Internet use among those with PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Gong
- School of Journalism, Fudan University, No. 440, Handan Road, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Yijin Ren
- Mianyang College of Administration, Sichuan, China
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Kovačić Petrović Z, Peraica T, Blažev M, Kozarić-Kovačić D. Association between problematic Internet use and specific Internet activities and COVID-19- and earthquake-related stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms among Croatian young adults. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1227182. [PMID: 37645636 PMCID: PMC10461808 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1227182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background During the COVID-19 pandemic and concomitant earthquakes in Croatia in 2020, increased Internet use (IU) and Internet-based addictive behaviors were associated with decreasing mental well-being. We determined the changes in IU, problematic IU (PIU), and problematic specific Internet activities in young adults during the prolonged stress caused by the pandemic and earthquakes, age differences in PIU and differences in perceived source of stress (pandemic or earthquakes), and association between PIU and increase in specific Internet activities and stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms in young adults. Methods A cross-sectional online survey conducted from September 30, 2021 to October 17, 2021 included 353 young adults aged 22.6 ± 2.1 years, 382 early adults aged 32.1 ± 4.4 years, and 371 middle-aged adults aged 49.0 ± 6.5 years. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, stressors (without perceived stressors, only pandemic-related stressor, only earthquake-related stressor, and both pandemic and earthquake-related stressors), PIU and IU were collected with a self-report questionnaire. The Impact of Event Scale and the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale were used to evaluate mental symptoms. PIU and problematic specific Internet activities were assessed using Tao et al.'s criteria. Data were anaylzed with paired-sample Wilcoxon test, McNemar's and Pearson's chi-square tests, and structural equation modeling. Results In 17% of young adults, we found increased PIU (OR = 5.15, 95% CI [2.82, 10.18]), problematic social media use (OR = 2.77, 95% CI [1.56, 5.14]), and uncontrolled online shopping (OR = 5.75, 95% CI [1.97, 22.87]) (p < 0.001 for all). PIU and problematic social media use were more common among young adults (60.8%), as well as problematic online gaming (25.9%). Problematic social media use was more frequent among young adults reporting pandemic stress than among those without perceived stress (69.9% vs. 43.2%). Increased online gaming predicted more severe avoidance symptoms (p = 0.041), increased social media use predicted more severe depression symptoms (p = 0.017), increased online shopping predicted more severe intrusion (p = 0.013) and anxiety symptoms (p = 0.001). PIU predicted more severe intrusion (p = 0.008), avoidance (p = 0.01), anxiety (p < 0.001), and depression (p = 0.012) symptoms. Conclusion Different effects of the pandemic and earthquakes on IU could reflect a different effect of various stressors on Internet behavior of young adults. Type of problematic Internet behavior may predict for the type of mental health problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zrnka Kovačić Petrović
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Addiction, University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tina Peraica
- Department of Psychiatry, Referral Center for Stress-related Disorders of the Ministry of Health, University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Forensic Sciences, University of Split, Split, Croatia
| | - Mirta Blažev
- Ivo Pilar Institute of Social Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia
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Shek DTL, Chai W, Zhou K. Risk Factors and Protective Factors of Internet Addiction in University Students during the Pandemic: Implications for Prevention and Treatment. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5952. [PMID: 37297556 PMCID: PMC10253014 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20115952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
While the prevalence rates of Internet addiction (IA) amongst young people during the pandemic are disturbing, few studies have investigated the risk and protective factors of IA in Hong Kong university students under COVID-19. In this study, we examined the relationship between COVID-19-related stress and IA and the role of psychological morbidity and positive psychological attributes in the relationship. In summer 2022, 978 university students completed a survey assessing pandemic-related stress, psychological morbidity, and positive psychological attributes. While psychological morbidity was indexed by depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidal behavior, positive psychological attributes included life satisfaction, flourishing, adversity beliefs, emotional competence, resilience, and family functioning measures. Results showed that stress and psychological morbidity positively predicted IA, and psychological morbidity mediated the association between stress and IA. Positive psychological attributes negatively predicted stress and IA, and mediated the connection between stress and IA. Positive psychological attributes moderated the mediating effect of psychological morbidity on the relationship between stress and IA. In addition to theoretical contributions, this study contributes to IA prevention and treatment: reducing psychological morbidity and promoting positive psychological attributes are promising strategies to address IA issues in young people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel T. L. Shek
- Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
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Kovačić Petrović Z, Peraica T, Blažev M, Tomašić L, Kozarić-Kovačić D. Problematic Internet Use, Anxiety, Depression, and Stress Symptoms in Adults with COVID-19 Pandemic and Earthquake Experience: Insights from Croatian Online Survey. CYBERPSYCHOLOGY, BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL NETWORKING 2022; 25:802-809. [PMID: 36318812 DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2022.0039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
In 2020, Croatia was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and two earthquakes. As previous research showed that Internet use (IU) increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, we carried out an online survey to determine the levels of problematic Internet use (PIU) and problematic specific Internet activities before and during the prolonged stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as earthquakes. We also determined the correlation between the PIU and specific Internet activities and anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms. According to the responses of 1,118 participants from all Croatian regions, PIU increased by 14.1 percent (odds ratio [OR] 6.2), problematic social media use by 12.6 percent (OR 4.8), and uncontrolled online shopping by 5.3 percent (OR 5.8) in comparison with presurvey period. The PIU increase was significantly higher in participants reporting only pandemic-related stress than in those reporting both pandemic- and earthquake-related stress. Problematic social media use increased in those reporting only pandemic-related stress and both pandemic- and earthquake-related stress. The strongest correlation between PIU and problematic social media use and anxiety, depression, intrusion, and avoidance symptoms was found among those reporting both pandemic- and earthquake-related stress. The correlation between psychiatric measures and PIU and problematic specific Internet activities varied depending on the source of experienced or perceived stress. Our findings show the relationship between the problematic stress-related Internet behaviors, different types of stressors, and their impact on the overall PIU and problematic specific Internet activities in situations of prolonged stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zrnka Kovačić Petrović
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia.,Department of Addiction, University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tina Peraica
- Department of Psychiatry, Referral Center for Stress-related Disorders of the Ministry of Health, University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia.,Department of Forensic Sciences, University of Split, Split, Croatia
| | - Mirta Blažev
- Ivo Pilar Institute of Social Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia
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Li J, Xie R, Ding W, Jiang M, Lin X, Kayani S, Li W. Longitudinal relationship between beliefs about adversity and learning engagement in Chinese left-behind children: Hope as a mediator and peer attachment as a moderator. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-02671-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Yang B, Cai G, Xiong C, Huang J. Relative Deprivation and Game Addiction in Left-Behind Children: A Moderated Mediation. Front Psychol 2021; 12:639051. [PMID: 34149521 PMCID: PMC8209476 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.639051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous findings show that relative deprivation has a profound influence on game addiction, but the potential mediating and moderating mechanisms are unclear, especially for left-behind children. The present study therefore examined the relationship between relative deprivation and game addiction, the mediating effect of deviant peer affiliation, and the moderating effect of beliefs about adversity in a sample of left-behind children. A total of 952 left-behind children (mean age = 13.67 years, SD = 1.34) participated in this study. The participants anonymously completed a battery of questionnaires, including the Relative Deprivation Scale, the Deviant Peer Affiliation Scale, the Beliefs about Adversity Scale, the Game Addiction Scale, and demographic variables. After controlling for gender, left-behind category, and socioeconomic status, the moderated mediation model showed that (a) relative deprivation significantly and positively predicted game addiction in left-behind children; (b) The mediation analysis showed that the positive association between relative deprivation and game addiction in left-behind children was mediated by deviant peer affiliation; (c) Beliefs about adversity moderated the association between relative deprivation and deviant peer affiliation and were weaker for left-behind children with higher levels of beliefs about adversity, consistent with the risk-buffering model, but the relationship between relative deprivation and game addiction was stronger for left-behind children with higher levels of beliefs about adversity, consistent with the reverse risk-buffering model. These findings have crucial implications for the prevention and intervention of game addiction in left-behind children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Banglin Yang
- Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment Towards Basic Education Quality, Beijing, China
| | - Ge Cai
- Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Sanmenxia Polytechnic, College of Applied Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, Sanmenxia, China
| | - Cancan Xiong
- Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Huang
- Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment Towards Basic Education Quality, Beijing, China
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Zhao N, Zhou G. COVID-19 Stress and Addictive Social Media Use (SMU): Mediating Role of Active Use and Social Media Flow. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:635546. [PMID: 33633616 PMCID: PMC7899994 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.635546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is likely to enhance the risk of addictive social media use (SMU) as people spend more time online maintaining connectivity when face-to-face communication is limited. Stress is assumed to be a critical predictor of addictive SMU. However, the mechanisms underlying the association between stress and addictive SMU in crises like the current COVID-19 situation remain unclear. The present study aimed to understand the relationship between COVID-19 stress and addictive SMU by examining the mediating role of active use and social media flow (i.e., an intensive, enjoyable experience generated by SMU that perpetuates media use behaviors). A sample of 512 Chinese college students (M age = 22.12 years, SD = 2.47; 62.5% women) provided self-report data on COVID-19 stress and SMU variables (i.e., time, active use, flow, addictive behavior) via an online survey from March 24 to April 1, 2020. The results showed that COVID-19 stress was positively associated with tendencies toward addictive SMU. Path analyses revealed that this relationship was significantly serially mediated by active use and social media flow, with SMU time being controlled. Our findings suggest that individuals who experience more COVID-19 stress are at increased risk of addictive SMU that may be fostered by active use and flow experience. Specific attention should be paid to these high-risk populations and future interventions to reduce addictive SMU could consider targeting factors of both active use and social media flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zhao
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Guangyu Zhou
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
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