OBJECTIVES: To examine associations between COVID-19 media exposure and anxiety/perceived risk/severity and investigate their dependency on sex in middle-aged/older adults. METHODS: Adults aged 50+ years completed online surveys: Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, COVID-19 media exposure, COVID-19 media dependency for health information, and COVID-19 perceived risk and severity. Multiple regressions examined independent and interactive (with sex) associations between COVID-19 media exposure/dependency and COVID-19 anxiety/perceived risk and severity. Analyses controlled for age, education, race, total medical conditions, and COVID-19 status. RESULTS: Higher COVID-19 media exposure was associated with higher COVID-19 anxiety among men (not women) and higher perceived risk/severity in both sexes. Higher COVID-19 media dependency was associated with higher COVID-19 anxiety and perceived risk/severity in both sexes. CONCLUSION: In middle-aged/older adults, the use/dependency of media for COVID-19 information may be linked to negative psychological health and increased COVID-19 perceived risk and severity. Men may be at increased risk of anxiety related to media exposure.
OBJECTIVES: To examine associations between COVID-19 media exposure and anxiety/perceived risk/severity and investigate their dependency on sex in middle-aged/older adults. METHODS: Adults aged 50+ years completed online surveys: Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, COVID-19 media exposure, COVID-19 media dependency for health information, and COVID-19 perceived risk and severity. Multiple regressions examined independent and interactive (with sex) associations between COVID-19 media exposure/dependency and COVID-19 anxiety/perceived risk and severity. Analyses controlled for age, education, race, total medical conditions, and COVID-19 status. RESULTS: Higher COVID-19 media exposure was associated with higher COVID-19 anxiety among men (not women) and higher perceived risk/severity in both sexes. Higher COVID-19 media dependency was associated with higher COVID-19 anxiety and perceived risk/severity in both sexes. CONCLUSION: In middle-aged/older adults, the use/dependency of media for COVID-19 information may be linked to negative psychological health and increased COVID-19 perceived risk and severity. Men may be at increased risk of anxiety related to media exposure.
Entities:
Keywords:
COVID-19; aging; anxiety; media; sex differences
Authors: Mahir Gachabayov; Khan Sharun; Daniel M Felsenreich; Firzan Nainu; Samsul Anwar; Amanda Yufika; Youdiil Ophinni; Chika Yamada; Marhami Fahriani; Milda Husnah; Rawan Raad; Namareg Me Khiri; Rashed Ya Abdalla; Rashed Y Adam; Mohajer Ih Ismaeil; Asma Y Ismail; Wajdi Kacem; Zeineb Teyeb; Khaoula Aloui; Montacer Hafsi; Manel Ferjani; Nasrine Ben Hadj Dahman; Dalia A Deeb; Dina Emad; Kirellos Said Abbas; Fatma A Monib; Farah S Sami; Subramaniam Ramanarayanan; Suhrud Panchawagh; Sunil Anandu; Md Ariful Haque; Lirane Ed Ferreto; María Fc Briones; Rocío Bi Morales; Sebastián Lazcano-Díaz; José To Aburto; Jorge Et Rojas; Emmanuel O Balogun; Hendrix I Kusuma; Cut Meurah Yeni; Niken Asri Utami; Seyi S Enitan; Akele R Yomi; Abiodun Durosinmi; Esther N Adejumo; Eyiuche D Ezigbo; Elham Babadi; Edris Kakemam; Irfan Ullah; Najma I Malik; Francesco Rosiello; Talha B Emran; Eva Imelda; Guilherme W Wendt; Morteza Arab-Zozani; Kuldeep Dhama; Mudatsir Mudatsir; Harapan Harapan Journal: F1000Res Date: 2022-03-22