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Gender differences in the relationships between meaning in life, mental health status and digital media use during Covid-19.
- Source :
- BMC Public Health; 9/11/2023, Vol. 23 Issue 1, p1-7, 7p, 4 Charts
- Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on individuals' social lives, mental health status, and meaning in life (MIL). Globally, the use of different types of digital media has become a proxy for pre-COVID social lives for many people. This study investigated gender differences in the relationship between use of digital media, mental health status and MIL, during COVID-19 in Hong Kong. Methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed 1,488 young people recruited via city-wide random sampling in 2021. Respondents completed a phone survey on digital media use, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-2), COVID-19 impact, meaning in life, and demographics. Gender differences in MIL were tested with an independent sample t-test. Gender-specific multiple linear regression models tested associations between MIL and explanatory variables of age, educational level, history of diagnosis, digital media use, and mental health status. Results: There was a significant gender difference in MIL (males (M = 12.90, SD = 4.12); females (M = 13.45, SD = 3.96); t (1485) = -2.656, p =.008). For males, all variables significantly associated to MIL (F (9, 759) = 15.731, p <.000, R<superscript>2</superscript> =.157). However, for females, while the overall model for MIL was significant (F (9, 709) = 12.105, p <.001, R<superscript>2</superscript> =.133), the only significant associated variable was mental health status. Conclusion: Females had significantly better MIL under COVID-19 than males. Digital media use contributed to MIL in males but not females, and there were gender-specific associated factors of MIL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14712458
- Volume :
- 23
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- BMC Public Health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 171881671
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16672-x