Volume 18, No. 6, 2021
Social Media Infodemic And Mental Wellbeing In Pakistan During Covid 19
Sarwet Rasul , Sajida Naz , Tahira Ezra Raza , Akifa Imtiaz , Saima Hamid , Fazal ur Rehman , Sobia Khateeb , Faran Emmanuel
Abstract
Background: During all waves of COVID 19 pandemic, the most worrying concern has been the various forms of infodemic about COVID 19 that have heightened the symptoms of fear and anxiety in the general population thus causing it to be a major public health concern. Objectives: Objectives of the current study were to identify impact of social media infodemic on mental wellbeing during COVID 19 among University students Design: An online Cross Sectional Survey Design was used in the current study Participants: Social media users (university students), aged18 years and above from the university campuses of Rawalpindi and Islamabad (7+23 campuses / 35 main and subcampuses). Measures: To measure social media infodemic, a self-developed questionnaire was used comprising of three subscale relating to different myths and conspiracies about COVID 19. Mental wellbeing measures included standardized scales i.e., Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) containing 9 items relating to depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD) with 7 items measuring anxiety during COVID 19. Procedure: Responsive driven sampling was used to approach participants from various public sector universities in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. An anonymous google form link was disbursed to the participants for their consent and response. Ethical standards given by the American Psychological Association were followed throughout the study. Key Results: Greater use of social media may contribute towards social media infodemic. Social media infodemic may be related with exceeding levels of anxiety and depression. Conclusion: In order to control the psychological effects of social media infodemic, general health reforms are needed.
Pages: 2994-3014
Keywords: Greater use of social media may contribute towards social media infodemic. Social media infodemic may be related with exceeding levels of anxiety and depression.