Newson, Martha ORCID: 0000-0001-7700-9562, Zhao, Yi, El Zein, Marwa, Sulik, Justin, Dezecache, Guillaume, Deroy, Ophelia and Tuncgenc, Bahar (2021) Digital contact does not promote wellbeing, but face-to-face does: a cross-national survey during the Covid-19 pandemic. New Media and Society. pp. 1-24. ISSN 1461-4448 (Print), 1461-7315 (Online) (doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448211062164)

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Abstract

With restricted face-to-face interactions, COVID-19 lockdowns and distancing measures tested the capability of computer-mediated communication to foster social contact and wellbeing. In a multinational sample (n = 6436), we investigated how different modes of contact related to wellbeing during the pandemic. Computer-mediated communication was more common than face-to-face, and its use was influenced by COVID-19 death rates, more so than state stringency measures. Despite its legal and health threats, face-to-face contact was still positively associated with wellbeing, and messaging apps had a negative association. Perceived household vulnerability to COVID-19 reduced the positive effect of face-to-face communication on wellbeing, but surprisingly, people’s own vulnerability did not. Computer-mediated communication was particularly negatively associated with the wellbeing of young and empathetic people. Findings show people endeavored to remain socially connected, yet however, maintain a physical distance, despite the tangible costs to their wellbeing.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	computer-mediated communication; COVID-19 pandemic; empathy; face-to-face contact; gender; modes of contact; social interaction; wellbeing
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Human Sciences (HUM)
Last Modified:	17 Mar 2023 13:01
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/38817

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