The aim of the present study was to test an explanatory model for individual and social wellbeing which incorporates the advantages of using digital technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was carried out in Italy, one of the countries that has been most severely affected by the pandemic worldwide. The study was designed to include variables that might be specifically pertinent to the uniqueness of the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. Adults living in Italy (n = 1412) completed an online survey during the lockdown period in March 2020. Results showed two distinct digital interaction processes highlighted by the facilitating use of online emotions (“e-motions”) and online social support (“e-support”). In short, e-motions were positively related to posttraumatic growth, which in turn was positively associated with positive mental health and higher engagement in prosocial behaviors. Moreover, individuals who perceived themselves as having greater e-support were characterized by higher levels of positive mental health, which it turn was positively associated with prosocial behaviors. Collectively, these two digital interaction processes suggest that digital technologies appear to be critical resources in helping individuals cope with difficulties raised by the COVID-19 pandemic.

本研究的目的是测试个人和社会福祉的解释模型，该模型结合了在 COVID-19 大流行期间使用数字技术的优势。该研究是在意大利进行的，意大利是全球受疫情影响最严重的国家之一。该研究旨在包括可能与大流行施加的限制的独特性特别相关的变量。居住在意大利的成年人（n = 1412）在 2020 年 3 月的封锁期间完成了一项在线调查。结果显示，促进使用在线情绪（“e-motions”）和在线社会支持（“e-support”）突出了两个不同的数字交互过程。简而言之，情绪与创伤后成长呈正相关，而创伤后成长又与积极的心理健康和更高的亲社会行为参与度呈正相关。此外，认为自己拥有更多电子支持的个人具有更高水平的积极心理健康特征，这与亲社会行为呈正相关。总的来说，这两个数字交互过程表明，数字技术似乎是帮助个人应对 COVID-19 大流行带来的困难的关键资源。