Associations between COVID-19 related media consumption and symptoms of anxiety, depression and COVID-19 related fear in the general population in Germany

TLDR

During the COVID‑19 pandemic, extensive consumption of pandemic‑related media has been linked to increased anxiety and psychological distress. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between COVID‑19 media exposure and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and COVID‑19‑specific fear in the German general population. A cross‑sectional online survey of 6,233 participants (March 27–April 6 2020) collected demographic data, media usage metrics (duration, frequency, type), and standardized measures of depression, unspecific anxiety, and COVID‑19 anxiety. Higher frequency, duration, and diversity of media exposure—especially social media use—were associated with greater depression and anxiety symptoms, with a critical threshold of seven exposures per day or 2.5 h per day distinguishing mild from moderate symptoms, indicating that pre‑existing fears amplify vulnerability and suggesting guideline thresholds for media consumption.

Abstract

Abstract In context of the current COVID-19 pandemic the consumption of pandemic-related media coverage may be an important factor that is associated with anxiety and psychological distress. Aim of the study was to examine those associations in the general population in Germany. 6233 participants took part in an online-survey (March 27th–April 6th, 2020), which included demographic information and media exploitation in terms of duration, frequency and types of media. Symptoms of depression, unspecific anxiety and COVID-19 related anxiety were ascertained with standardized questionnaires. Frequency, duration and diversity of media exposure were positively associated with more symptoms of depression and unspecific and COVID-19 specific anxiety. We obtained the critical threshold of seven times per day and 2.5 h of media exposure to mark the difference between mild and moderate symptoms of (un)specific anxiety and depression. Particularly the usage of social media was associated with more pronounced psychological strain. Participants with pre-existing fears seem to be particularly vulnerable for mental distress related to more immoderate media consumption. Our findings provide some evidence for problematical associations of COVID-19 related media exposure with psychological strain and could serve as an orientation for recommendations—especially with regard to the thresholds of critical media usage.