Covid 19. (Mis)information and mental health. A comparative approach
Author(s)
Salerno, Sébastien
Date issued
February 4, 2022
Abstract
The Covid-19 pandemic spread in Switzerland and with it, misinformation and conspiracy theories (Loomba et al. 2021). Adherence to misinformation and conspiracy theories may have increased the difficulties associated with the coronavirus crisis (Enders et al. 2021). Negative effects on mental health due to media exposure have been established (Wang et al. 2020). Some beliefs led to risky behavior and violence in the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic (Vincent 2020). The growth of conspiracy theories seems to find fertile ground in situations of fear and mistrust (Shahsavari et al., 2020).
What were the sources of information, the scale of exposure to misinformation, and their psychosocial effects during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic? Which social and political characteristics were most affected by misinformation about Covid-19? How does the Covid-19 reveal the socio-political situations of different countries?
To study information sources, as well as trust in different information channels and sources, exposure to and reception of misinformation, we relied on a questionnaire survey conducted in Switzerland and seven other countries/regions (Canada, USA, England, Belgium, Hong Kong, Philippines, New Zealand) between May and June (N=8806) and in November (N=9027).
The results of our study show that adherence to false beliefs, as well as low trust in authorities, may have negatively influenced the psychological reaction of respondents during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. The level of anxiety increased between the first and second waves, with a lower level for Switzerland compared to other countries.
What were the sources of information, the scale of exposure to misinformation, and their psychosocial effects during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic? Which social and political characteristics were most affected by misinformation about Covid-19? How does the Covid-19 reveal the socio-political situations of different countries?
To study information sources, as well as trust in different information channels and sources, exposure to and reception of misinformation, we relied on a questionnaire survey conducted in Switzerland and seven other countries/regions (Canada, USA, England, Belgium, Hong Kong, Philippines, New Zealand) between May and June (N=8806) and in November (N=9027).
The results of our study show that adherence to false beliefs, as well as low trust in authorities, may have negatively influenced the psychological reaction of respondents during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. The level of anxiety increased between the first and second waves, with a lower level for Switzerland compared to other countries.
Notes
, Swiss Political Science Association (SPSA) Annual Congress, COVID 19, (MIS)INFORMATION AND MENTAL HEALTH. A COMPARATIVE APPROACH
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Publication type
conference presentation
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