Research and Insights: Media for Coping During COVID-19 Social Distancing: Stress, Anxiety, and Psychological Well-Being
The global COVID-19 pandemic has caused anxiety and stress in most people, but college students specifically have had to learn to cope with uncertainty and upheaval from their normal routine. This emotional rollercoaster has caused an increase in general media consumption as those effected by the pandemic seek ways to cope or escape the daily turmoil.
University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Advertising Assistant Professor Benjamin K. Johnson and colleagues found that college students are consuming fun, lighthearted stories to deal with their social distancing related stress, and deeply engaging, personally challenging stories to reign in their social distancing-related anxiety. Also, the researchers found that the more anxiety a student experiences, generally, the more media they consume to combat their weariness.
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