Problematic Use of Internet-Related Activities and Perceived Weight Stigma in Schoolchildren: A Longitudinal Study Across Different Epidemic Periods of COVID-19 in China

Frontiers in Psychiatry

Chung-Ying Lin²  Marc N. Potenza³  Janet D. Latner⁴  Andrew M. H. Siu⁵  Xavier C. C. Fung⁵  I-Hua Chen⁹  Chao-Ying Chen^1,10  Kerry S. O'Brien^1,11 

[1] 0Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan;1Department of Public Health, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan;Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Wethersfield, CT, United States;Department of Psychology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States;Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong;Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience and the Child Study Center, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States;Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan;International College, Krirk University, Bangkok, Thailand;School of Education Science, Minnan Normal University, Zhangzhou, China;School of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan;School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia;

关键词: COVID-19;    weight stigma;    problematic smartphone use;    problematic social media use;    children;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyt.2021.675839

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Background: Social distancing and school suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) may have a negative impact on children's behavior and well-being. Problematic smartphone use (PSU), problematic social media use (PSMU) and perceived weight stigma (PWS) are particularly important issues for children, yet we have a poor understanding of how these may have been affected by lockdowns and physical isolation resulting from COVID-19. This research aimed to understand how these psychosocial and behavioral variables may be associated with psychological distress, and how these associations may have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A total of 489 children completed a three-wave longitudinal study from January 2020 to June 2020. The first wave was conducted before the COVID-19 outbreak. The second wave was conducted during the outbreak. The third wave was conducted during post-COVID-19 lockdown. Questionnaires measured psychological distress, PSU, PSMU, and PWS.Results: PSU, PSMU, PWS and psychological distress were all significantly associated with each other. PSU was significantly higher during outbreak. PWS was significantly higher before outbreak. We found an increased association between PSMU and PWS across three waves in all three models. The association between PSU and depression/anxiety decreased across three waves; however, association between PSMU and depression/anxiety increased across three waves.Conclusions: COVID-19 initiated school suspension and associated lockdowns appear to have exacerbated PSU and depression among children. However, PWS was reduced during this period. Children should use smartphones and social media safely and cautiously, and be aware of the potential exposure to weight stigmatization.

【 授权许可】

Unknown