<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Most countries imposed lockdown restrictions on high-risk cities due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease. Although individuals adopted social media use during the lockdown, it is unclear how online information-seeking experiences affected their health and quality of life. We conducted an online survey among people living in cities in Ghana, India, Indonesia, and Pakistan that were affected by lockdown restrictions. Using Colaizzi’s method, we thematically analyzed 166 participants’ (males = 93, females = 73) online text responses. We observed that uncertainties about COVID-19 and the feeling of boredom predisposed participants to become victims of misinformation. Once they were misinformed, they felt anxious about COVID-19. Consequently, some overused social media to obtain additional information while others decreased or avoided its usage entirely. Our study provides insight into a recent global phenomenon. There is a need for adequate psychological support services through social media to lessen the use of unhealthy coping mechanisms.</p>
</abstract>

Most countries imposed lockdown restrictions on high-risk cities due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease. Although individuals adopted social media use during the lockdown, it is unclear how online information-seeking experiences affected their health and quality of life. We conducted an online survey among people living in cities in Ghana, India, Indonesia, and Pakistan that were affected by lockdown restrictions. Using Colaizzi’s method, we thematically analyzed 166 participants’ (males = 93, females = 73) online text responses. We observed that uncertainties about COVID-19 and the feeling of boredom predisposed participants to become victims of misinformation. Once they were misinformed, they felt anxious about COVID-19. Consequently, some overused social media to obtain additional information while others decreased or avoided its usage entirely. Our study provides insight into a recent global phenomenon. There is a need for adequate psychological support services through social media to lessen the use of unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Online health information-seeking experiences during the COVID-19 lockdown among social media users in four countries

Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation

Occupational Safety and Health Department

Psychology of Language and Communication

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Most countries imposed lockdown restrictions on high-risk cities due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease. Although individuals adopted social media use...

Online health information-seeking experiences during the COVID-19 lockdown among social media users in four countries

Published Online: Jul 15, 2023

Page range: 330 - 349

DOI: https://doi.org/10.58734/plc-2023-0016

Keywords
COVID-19, experiences, lockdown cities, misinformation, pandemic, social media

© 2023 Jacob Owusu Sarfo et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Online health information-seeking experiences during the COVID-19 lockdown among social media users in four countries

Published Online: Jul 15, 2023

Page range: 330 - 349

DOI: https://doi.org/10.58734/plc-2023-0016

KeywordsCOVID-19, experiences, lockdown cities, misinformation, pandemic, social media

© 2023 Jacob Owusu Sarfo et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
COVID-19, experiences, lockdown cities, misinformation, pandemic, social media