Valentina Boursier|Francesca Gioia|Alessandro Musetti|Adriano Schimmenti
Facing Loneliness and Anxiety During the COVID-19 Isolation: The Role of Excessive Social Media Use in a Sample of Italian Adults
Federico II University Hospital|University of Naples Federico II|Federico II University Hospital|University of Naples Federico II|University of Parma|Università degli Studi di Enna Kore
outbreak coronavirus disease 2019 covid19 prompted people face distressing unexpected situation uncertainty social distancing changed peoples behaviors impacting feelings daily habits social relationships core elements human wellbeing particular restrictions due quarantine increased feelings loneliness anxiety within context use digital technologies recommended relieve stress anxiety decrease loneliness even though overall effects social media consumption pandemics still need carefully addressed regard social media use evidence risk opportunities fact according compensatory model internetrelated activities online environment may used alleviate negative feelings caused distressing life circumstances despite potentially leading negative outcomes present study examined whether individuals experiencing high levels loneliness forced isolation covid19 pandemic prone feel anxious whether sense loneliness prompted excessive social media use moreover potentially mediating effect excessive social media use relationship perceived loneliness anxiety tested sample 715 adults 715 women aged 18 72 years old took part online survey period lockdown italy survey included selfreport measures assess perceived sense loneliness excessive use social media anxiety participants reported spent hoursday social media pandemic pandemic found evidence perceived feelings loneliness predicted excessive social media use anxiety excessive social media use also increasing anxiety levels findings suggest isolation probably reinforced individuals sense loneliness strengthening need part virtual communities however facilitated prolonged access social media covid19 pandemic risked increase anxiety generating vicious cycle cases may require clinical attention