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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
A internet assume-se como uma ferramenta essencial na sociedade moderna, tendo
transformado drasticamente a forma como as pessoas se relacionam, comunicam, aprendem e
trabalham. Se o uso for em demasia e descontrolado, pode-se tornar problemático podendo
afetar o bem-estar psicológico dos indivíduos, nomeadamente ansiedade ou depressão. Porém,
no contexto da pandemia atual causada pelo coronavírus, marcada por aumento de ansiedade e
receios, assumiu um papel importante em diversos contextos e, em particular, na manutenção
dos contactos interpessoais e na saúde mental dos jovens adultos. Deste modo, o presente estudo
teve como objetivo geral explorar o papel mediador do uso da internet na relação entre a saúde
mental (ansiedade, depressão e stress) e o medo da COVID-19. Pretendeu-se, ainda, analisar a
relação entre essas mesmas variáveis e as diferenças em função do sexo dos participantes. Para
este estudo, a amostra utilizada foi constituída por 443 jovens adultos portugueses e foram
utilizadas a Internet Addiction Test, Escalas de Ansiedade Depressão e Stress,
Multidimensional Assessment of COVID-19-Related Fears e um questionário
sociodemográfico para a recolha de dados. Os resultados mostraram que existe uma relação
estatisticamente significativa positiva entre o uso da internet e a depressão, ansiedade e stress,
e o medo da COVID-19 e a depressão, ansiedade e stress. Além disso, foi possível constatar
que as mulheres apresentam pontuações significativamente mais elevadas na ansiedade,
depressão e stress comparativamente aos homens. No entanto, no que diz respeito ao uso da
internet, as diferenças entre os sexos não foram significativas. Por fim, verificou-se que o stress
parece ter um papel mediador na explicação da relação entre o uso da internet e o medo da
COVID-19. Esta investigação pretende contribuir para um aumento do conhecimento sobre o
papel da internet na resposta a este desafio e preparação para outras situações críticas. Estudos
como este podem ser um meio para uma melhor compreensão das consequências da COVID19 na saúde mental e do papel mediador da internet nesta relação.
The internet is an essential tool in modern society, having drastically transformed the way people relate, communicate, learn and work. If the use is excessive and uncontrolled, it can become problematic and can affect the individuals' psychological well-being, namely anxiety or depression. However, in the context of the current pandemic caused by the coronavirus, marked by increased anxiety and fears, it has taken on an important role in different contexts and, in particular, in the maintenance of interpersonal contacts and in the mental health of young adults. Thus, this study aimed to explore the mediating role of internet use in the relationship between mental health (anxiety, depression and stress) and fear of COVID-19. It was also intended to analyze the relationship between these same variables and the differences depending on the gender of the participants. For this study, the sample used consisted of 443 Portuguese young adults and the Internet Addiction Test, Depression and Stress Anxiety Scales, Multidimensional Assessment of COVID-19-Related Fears and a sociodemographic questionnaire were used for data collection. The results showed that there is a statistically significant positive relationship between internet use and depression, anxiety and stress, and fear of COVID-19 and depression, anxiety and stress. Furthermore, it was found that women have significantly higher scores in anxiety, depression and stress compared to men. However, with regard to internet use, the differences between the sexes were not significant. Finally, it was found that stress seems to play a mediating role in explaining the relationship between internet use and fear of COVID-19. This research aims to contribute to an increase in knowledge about the role of the internet in responding to this challenge and preparing for other critical situations. Studies like this can be a way to better understand the consequences of COVID-19 on mental health and the mediating role of the internet in this relationship.
The internet is an essential tool in modern society, having drastically transformed the way people relate, communicate, learn and work. If the use is excessive and uncontrolled, it can become problematic and can affect the individuals' psychological well-being, namely anxiety or depression. However, in the context of the current pandemic caused by the coronavirus, marked by increased anxiety and fears, it has taken on an important role in different contexts and, in particular, in the maintenance of interpersonal contacts and in the mental health of young adults. Thus, this study aimed to explore the mediating role of internet use in the relationship between mental health (anxiety, depression and stress) and fear of COVID-19. It was also intended to analyze the relationship between these same variables and the differences depending on the gender of the participants. For this study, the sample used consisted of 443 Portuguese young adults and the Internet Addiction Test, Depression and Stress Anxiety Scales, Multidimensional Assessment of COVID-19-Related Fears and a sociodemographic questionnaire were used for data collection. The results showed that there is a statistically significant positive relationship between internet use and depression, anxiety and stress, and fear of COVID-19 and depression, anxiety and stress. Furthermore, it was found that women have significantly higher scores in anxiety, depression and stress compared to men. However, with regard to internet use, the differences between the sexes were not significant. Finally, it was found that stress seems to play a mediating role in explaining the relationship between internet use and fear of COVID-19. This research aims to contribute to an increase in knowledge about the role of the internet in responding to this challenge and preparing for other critical situations. Studies like this can be a way to better understand the consequences of COVID-19 on mental health and the mediating role of the internet in this relationship.
Description
Keywords
Internet Saúde mental COVID-19 Jovens adultos Mental health Young adults