COVID-19-related media consumption and parental mental health.

Currently, little is known about the relationship between COVID-19-related media consumption and mental health among Canadian parents. Consequently, the current study aimed to investigate the associations between the consumption of COVID-19-related news and mental health in a large sample of Canadian families. We recruited 924 Canadian parents, between April 14th and August 9th 2020, to participate in an online survey, which assessed their demographics, media consumption patterns, and their levels of anxiety, and depression. Relationships between COVID-19-related media consumption and parental mental health were analyzed using a series of multiple regression analyses. Multiple regression was also used to examine whether pediatric health status (i.e., chronic disease vs. no chronic disease), parent health status, and the prevalence of COVID-19 in the participant’s province of residence moderated the relationship between news consumption and parental mental health. Greater consumption of news related to COVID-19 was associated with higher levels of depression, and anxiety after controlling for a number of covariates. Contrary to predictions, neither the prevalence of COVID-19, parent health status, nor child health status significantly moderated the relationship between media consumption and parental mental health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
Source: Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research