Given that friends serve as one of the most important sources of emotional support during stress, the current study examines whether connecting electronically with friends can help alleviate loneliness and emotional distress during the social isolation mandates of the COVID-19 pandemic. Relying on a cross-sectional electronic survey conducted with a sample of 18–70-year-old adults (n = 295), information about the frequency of and satisfaction with electronic friend contact methods were obtained. Participants of all ages reported greater than typical reliance on, and satisfaction with, video calls during the imposed isolation, although they (especially the younger generations) used texting and connecting via social media the most. More frequent overall use of communication technologies was associated with greater anxiety but unrelated to loneliness and depression. In contrast, greater overall satisfaction with electronic contact with friends was associated with lower levels of loneliness, anxiety and depressive symptoms, as hypothesized. Satisfaction was most protective among those living alone. The findings highlight the potential psychological benefits of connecting electronically with close others and suggest that connecting with friends offers a way to cope with imposed isolation as long as individuals are satisfied with their exchanges.

考虑到朋友是压力下最重要的情感支持来源之一，本研究研究了在COVID-19大流行的社会隔离要求下，通过电子方式与朋友连接是否可以减轻孤独感和情绪困扰。依靠对18-70岁成年人（n = 295）进行的抽样电子调查，可以获得有关电子朋友联系方式的频率和满意度的信息。尽管他们（尤其是年轻一代）使用短信和通过社交媒体进行联系的次数最多，但各个年龄段的参与者都表示，在强行隔离期间，他们对视频通话的依赖程度和满意度高于典型情况。总体上更频繁地使用通信技术会带来更大的焦虑感，但与孤独感和抑郁感无关。相比之下，假设与朋友之间进行电子联系的总体满意度越高，则其孤独感，焦虑和抑郁症状的水平就越低。在独居的人中，满意度是最有保障的。研究结果突显了通过电子方式与亲密朋友交流的潜在心理好处，并建议与朋友交流提供了一种方法，只要个人对自己的交流感到满意，就可以应对强加的孤立感。在独居的人中，满意度是最有保障的。研究结果突显了通过电子方式与亲密朋友交流的潜在心理好处，并建议与朋友交流提供了一种方法，只要个人对自己的交流感到满意，就可以应对强加的孤立感。在独居的人中，满意度是最有保障的。研究结果突显了通过电子方式与亲密朋友交流的潜在心理好处，并建议与朋友交流提供了一种方法，只要个人对自己的交流感到满意，就可以应对强加的孤立感。