EXCERPT 1

(From Introduction)

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing unprecedented disruptions to many people’s

lives. Particularly, young adults are distressed due to isolation and social distancing, and
higher threats of potential years of life lost (Jimenez et al., 2020). A survey study
conducted in France showed that two-thirds of college students experienced stress during
COVID-19 (Husky et al., 2020). Another study among university students in Greece also
demonstrated the negative impact of lockdown during COVID-19 on their mental health,
such as increased anxiety and depression (Kaparounaki et al., 2020). To cope with
COVID-19 related stress, many young people turn to social media to seek health
information and peer interactions. Compared to the average individuals, youths are 63%
more likely to use social media as a key source of information and advice (Nielsen, 2009).
Despite the popularity of social media, prior research on the influence of health-related
social media use on younger generations’ well-being has illustrated mixed findings. For
example, Asibey et al. (2017) indicated that university students’ health-related Internet
use, including social media use for health information seeking, was positively associated
with healthy lifestyle change. However, other studies demonstrated null or insignificant
effects. For instance, Yoo et al. (2016) found that college students’ exposure to
antismoking messages via social media failed to significantly influence their smoking
attitudes and intentions. Even more concerning, excessive social media exposure to
health information during public health emergencies was found to increase depression
and anxiety (Gao et al., 2020). These mixed findings are also reflected in a systematic
review by Pretorius et al. (2019), stating that it still remains unclear whether health
informational seeking via online platforms (e.g., social media) is effective in improving
young people’s well-being. The inconsistent results may be due to the lack of investigation
of mechanisms underlying the effect of health-related social media on young adults’
emotional health. The focus on the direct effect ignores the complex psychological
consequences of social media use, which might in turn have more direct influence on
health outcomes. Street (2003) highlighted the need to explore specific mediators
influencing the relationship between interactive media use and health outcomes.

EXCERPT 2
Social Media Use, Fatalism and Stress*
Fatalism is the belief that one’s health is predetermined by fate, chance, luck or
God and beyond the capacity of personal control (Powe & Finnie, 2003). As fatalistic
individuals believe in the perceived inevitability of death, they are reluctant to adopt
protective behaviors. Jimenez et al. (2020) stated that fatalism is a salient issue in the
context of COVID-19, due to the lack of an effective treatment. They also found that
youths exhibit higher fatalistic COVID-19 beliefs than older adults, because of their low
emotional capability to handle health threats.
Social media may play a key role in reducing fatalism. First, seeking health
information on social media can improve health knowledge. COVID-19 information is
widely accessible via social media, empowering and activating users to take preventive
actions (Gao et al., 2020). As one’s internal locus of control increases during social media
usage, fatalism will decrease. Befort et al. (2013) found that using the Internet, including
social media, as a primary source of cancer information negatively predicted the fatalistic
belief that preventing cancer is impossible. Second, compared to traditional media, social
media allows people to search for information within their social networks, enhancing
collective knowledge, social cohesion and rapport, which helps overcome fatalistic fears.
The important role of social media use in lowering fatalism has been documented in prior
research. For instance, although news exposure from mass media might increase
fatalism, Internet use for health information can decrease fatalism (Lee et al., 2012). Mass
media is unidirectional, while social media features the bidirectional flow of information.
Instead of interpreting information alone, individuals can use social media to ask
questions, receive feedback, and collaborate with each other to cope with health
challenges, resulting in less uncertainties and fatalistic beliefs (Ramanadhan et al., 2013).

*Excerpt from Ngien, A., & Jiang, S. (2021). The Effect of Social Media on Stress
among Young Adults during COVID-19 Pandemic: Taking into Account Fatalism and
Social Media Exhaustion. Health Communication, 1–
8. doi:10.1080/10410236.2021.1888438