Sensory and cognitive intrusions with and without media content during the COVID-19 pandemic: Isolation, media use, sleep and stress factors

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic restrictive measures curtailed environmental stimuli and social contact while encouraging media consumption. This study investigated isolation, media use, sleep and stress factors related to involuntary phenomena with and without media content. Video game players answered an online survey (N = 397; males 70.8 %; mean age = 28.04). Experiencing intrusions during lockdown (mean = 65.81 min outdoors per day) was common: earworms (92 %), Game Transfer Phenomena (GTP) (e.g., re-experiencing game content such as images, sounds, thoughts and impulses) (91 %), intrusive thoughts/imagery (ITI) (90 %), mobile phone intrusions (MPI) (e.g., vibration, ringing) (67 %) and hallucinations (49 %). All intrusions were correlated; however, different factors were related to the likelihood of experiencing them. Time playing and time using social media were correlated with intrusions with and without media content. No correlations were found with watching something or using a computer. Older age decreased the odds of GTP, ITI and hallucinations, although factors such as stress and meeting people outside the household had higher effects. Stress, rather than isolation, media use or sleep factors, appear to have been a key factor for most of the intrusions during lockdown. Particularly younger players appear to be susceptible to intrusions with and without media content.