Isolation Among University Students During the COVID-19 Lockdown: The Mediating Impacts of Social Sites Usage and Pursuing Social Support

Abstract

As a result of the COVID-19 epidemic, social isolation has become required globally. This period of social isolation can be a risk factor for mental health issues, particularly in younger adults. Young adults also use social media at a higher rate than other age groups, a type of socialising that has been associated to bad mental health outcomes like isolation and serious depression. During the COVID-19 outbreak, the current study looked at the possible mediating effects of social networking site usage and social support searches on the relationship between age and isolation signs and symptoms. The qualitative approach is utilised for this study. Data is acquired from ten university students from the United States and Pakistan. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to learn more about the phenomenon of depressive symptoms, loneliness, coping methods, and changes in their daily lives as a result of the epidemic from the United States and Pakistan. During the epidemic, university students were even more lonely than older individuals, used more social media, and sought less social aid, according to the data. The findings are discussed in light of past research, as well as the potential impacts of fear and isolation during a pandemic from both countries. Copyright © 2022 by Cherkas Global University.