SOCIAL MEDIA EXPOSURE, RISK PERCEPTION, DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY DURING COVID 19 OUTBREAK

Abstract

The objective of this research was to investigate the relationship of social media exposure, risk perception with depression and anxiety during COVID-19 outbreak among adults. Additionally, the study aimed to investigated the moderating role of risk perception in the relationship between social media exposure and both Depression and Anxiety. For current study, used correlational research design, with a non-probability-purposive sampling technique to select the sample. The study's sample included 250 adults between the ages of 18 to 30. The sample was then split into 125 women (M = 1.50, SD =.50) and 125 men (M = 1.50, SD =.50). Data was collected through an online survey with standardized research tools from various Pakistani cities. The findings from correlation analysis revealed that social media exposure and risk perception were significantly and positively related to depression and anxiety. Results from the independent-sample t-test analysis revealed that women exhibited significantly higher levels of social media exposure, risk perception, depression, and anxiety than men. A moderation analysis, conducted using the PROCESS results showed that risk perception played a significant moderating role in the relationship between social media exposure and levels of depression and anxiety. Risk perception was playing the role of moderator between social media exposure and depression, anxiety. The present study concludes that during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Pakistani government ought to have to pay greater attention to psychological difficulties and psychologist should provide psychological facilities furthermore combating false information and rumors regarding COVID-19 and providing the public with accurate information.