The Impact of Social Media Usage on Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The paper under evaluation explores how the COVID-19 pandemic’s spike in social media usage affected mental health (Thrift & Budlong, 2023). People started increasingly turning to social media as a source of knowledge, connection, and coping as the epidemic brought limitations and social isolation. In this literature overview, we will examine the study from the standpoints of nursing practice, usability, and future directions for nursing informatics.
Objectives of the Article
The main goal of this piece is to investigate how people’s mental health was affected by using social media more during the COVID-19 epidemic (Thrift & Budlong, 2023). The purpose of the study is to comprehend how the pandemic affected people’s use of social media for news, connections, and information sharing and how this phenomenon affected people’s mental health and well-being. Through qualitative interviews with college students, the research investigates this influence and provides insight into their viewpoints and experiences.
Problem Identification
The paper does an excellent job of pointing out the issue of increased social media use during the COVID-19 epidemic and its possible negative impact on mental health (Thrift & Budlong, 2023). It acknowledges people’s growing reliance on social media in reaction to laws requiring social separation, as well as their desire to be informed and connected.
Innovation and Technological Advances Breakthrough
Although the essay does not concentrate on technological advances, it does discuss a novel strategy for comprehending the psychological effects of social media use in times of international emergency (Thrift & Budlong, 2023). Because of the qualitative technique used in this study, participants can share their experiences and provide insights on how social media may be a source of worry and a coping tool.
Background Information
The definition of social media in the article gives context: “forms of electronic communication through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content” (Thrift & Budlong, 2023). It includes well-known websites and apps like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. It also states that mental health is “our emotional, psychological, and social well-being,” emphasizing the significance of comprehending how mental health impacts people’s capacities for managing stress, relating to others, and making wise decisions.
Tools Presented in the Article
The investigation of how social media affects college students’ mental health during the COVID-19 epidemic included a wide range of instruments and approaches (Thrift & Budlong, 2023). First, they used Zoom to conduct virtual interviews with college students, primarily those between 18 and 21. This remote method allowed for data gathering while guaranteeing compliance with pandemic-related safety protocols. NVivo 12 software was then used to carefully examine the interview transcripts, making methodical coding and pattern recognition easier. An initial interest questionnaire was also probably sent out, which included questions about background and demographic information to establish participant eligibility. The researchers created interview questions and probes to organize their investigation efficiently. These inquiries probed the pre- and post-pandemic experiences of the participants and looked at the impact of social media on their mental health. The study team conducted a thorough literature assessment before developing these questions to include known information in their research questions.
The researchers also used triangulation of coding, cross-referencing codes, and information gathered from observations, interviews, and notes to increase the study’s trustworthiness (Thrift & Budlong, 2023). This method ensured uniformity and validated the study’s conclusions, which increased its credibility. Finally, data saturation was used in the study to ensure a wide range of viewpoints by continuing data gathering until no new material or themes surfaced from the interviews. Together, these methods and technologies made data collecting and analysis more accessible and allowed the researchers to make insightful findings on how social media and college students’ mental health interacted throughout the epidemic. As a result, other researchers studying the relationship between social media use and mental health may find similar methods helpful in their research.
Discussion
The article addresses the advantages and disadvantages of using social media during the pandemic (Thrift & Budlong, 2023). It recognizes the beneficial role social media plays in sharing current information, especially when traditional sources might not be available. For instance, the article reports that throughout the epidemic, 53% of American adults consumed news across numerous media. This made it possible for a larger population to be aware of immunization schedules, social distancing guidelines, and contagion hazards.
The article also highlights how social media may assist people in managing their anxiety and depression as well as coping with social isolation. Despite earlier studies suggesting that social media use might lead to increased social isolation, this study shows that social media was a valuable tool for sustaining mental health and providing support during the COVID-19 epidemic. The absence of face-to-face encounters was compensated for by virtual relationships, which proved especially helpful in uncertain times. The value of social connection is emphasized since maintaining relationships with friends and family was a beneficial method to deal with the stress brought on by shifting circumstances and a lack of in-person encounters. The study highlights social media’s importance as a virtual connection tool by showing how it allows people to interact with one another without running into the danger of getting the COVID-19 virus. On the other hand, the piece also addresses the drawbacks of social media, especially the propagation of false information and the creation of echo chambers. The article offers a fair analysis by citing research emphasizing social media’s possible negatives.
Ethical Concerns
The article addresses the moral dilemma of false information about health spreading on social media (Thrift & Budlong, 2023). Social media was an essential source of information during the COVID-19 epidemic, which contributed to the spread of false and potentially dangerous information. Misinformation on social media can cause public misunderstanding and mistrust of medical advice, especially regarding health-related issues. This ethical issue emphasizes the duty of healthcare providers, such as nurses, to dispel false information and guarantee that correct information is easily accessible to the general population.
Understandability to the Target Audience
The article’s writing style makes sense to those who should read it (Thrift & Budlong, 2023). The writing is accessible, straightforward, and brief, making it appropriate for scholars and healthcare professionals to read. For instance, when defining social media, the article states, “forms of electronic communication through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content.” This definition ensures that readers, including healthcare professionals, can quickly grasp the concept of social media.
Application to the Practice of Nursing
The paper is highly pertinent to nursing practice today and in the future (Thrift & Budlong, 2023). It offers perspectives on how nurses might apply the knowledge in the article to have a deeper comprehension of the influence of social media on the psychological well-being of their patients. With this information, nurses can determine patients’ coping mechanisms, evaluate their mental health, and provide the right kind of assistance.
The significance of efficient information sharing and communication during public health emergencies is also highlighted in the paper (Thrift & Budlong, 2023). In addition to benefiting from social media’s role in timely information provision, nurses can use these platforms to provide patients with accurate and current health information. The report also suggests possible future research directions that informatics nurses should pursue. Research opportunities in nursing informatics include investigating the relationship between social media use and mental health and creating algorithms for individualized social media content.
Conclusion and Recommendation
Ultimately, the paper clarifies the intricate connection between mental health and social media use during the COVID-19 epidemic (Thrift & Budlong, 2023). It emphasizes the need to have a balanced perspective on social media’s advantages and disadvantages, as well as how it helps people deal with worry and loneliness amid a world emergency. Subsequent studies have to probe more deeply into the effects of social media on mental health, taking into account variables such as screen time, the nature of the material, and personal reactions to various posts. This study may aid informatics nurses in creating plans for counselling patients on social media use for better mental health. I recommend this article to specialists in informatics and nursing because this article offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between social media and mental health during the pandemic. It gives nurses a deeper understanding of the challenges and benefits associated with social media usage, enabling them to offer more comprehensive care to their patients.
References
Thrift, J. R., & Budlong, M. (2023). Social Media and Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Informatics Nursing, 8(3).
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