JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has had a negative impact on both physical and mental health worldwide. Evidence regarding the association between mental health problems and information exposure in Thai citizens during the COVID-19 outbreak is lacking.

Objective:

To explore the relationship between information exposure and mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand.

Methods:

Between April 21, 2020 and May 4, 2020, we performed a cross-sectional, nationwide online survey of the general population in Thailand. We categorized COVID-19-related information exposure duration as <1 h/day (reference group), 1-2 h/day, and ≥3 h/day. Mental health outcomes were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and Insomnia Severity Index for symptoms of depression, anxiety, perceived stress, and insomnia, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to clarify the association between information exposure and the risk of developing the aforementioned symptoms. An ancillary analysis using multivariable multinomial logistic regression models was also conducted to assess a possible dose-response relationship across the severity strata of mental health problems.

Results:

Of the 4,322 participants, 4,004 (92.6%) completed the online survey. Of these, 1,481 (37.0%), 1,644 (41.1%), and 879 (22.0%) were exposed to <1 h/day, 1-2 h/day, and ≥3 h/day of information, respectively. The major source of information on the COVID-19 pandemic was social media (95.3%), followed by traditional media (68.7%), and family members (34.9%). Compared with people exposed to <1 h/day of information, those exposed to ≥3 h/day of information had a higher risk of developing symptoms of depression (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03 to 1.76; P=0.031), anxiety (adjusted OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.43 to 2.46; P<0.001) and insomnia (adjusted OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.17 to 1.97; P=0.001). Meanwhile, people exposed to 1-2 h/day of information were only at risk of developing anxiety (adjusted OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.69; P=0.008). However, there was no association between information exposure and the risk of perceived stress. In the ancillary analysis, a trend was noted in terms of a dose-response relationship between ≥3 h/day information exposure and the severity strata of mental health problems.

Conclusions:

These findings suggest that social media is the main source of COVID-19 related information. Moreover, people who are exposed to ≥3 h/day of information are more likely to have psychological problems, including depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Longitudinal studies investigating the long-term effects of COVID-19 information exposure on mental health are warranted.