Introduction: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing and shelter-at-home have become necessary for public health and safety in the United States. This period of social isolation may be a risk factor for mental health problems, particularly among young adults for whom rates of loneliness are already high. Young adults also engage in more social media use than other age groups, a form of socialization associated with adverse effects on mental health, including loneliness and depression. Methods: The current study examined potential mediating roles of social media use and social support seeking on the relationship between age and loneliness symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants included 1,674 adults who completed an online survey regarding depressive symptoms, loneliness, coping strategies, and changes to their daily lives as a result of the pandemic. Results: Results indicated that young adults were lonelier than older adults during the pandemic, showed a greater increase in social media use, and lower social support seeking. Higher increases in social media use and lower social support seeking mediated the relationship between age group and loneliness. Discussion: Findings are discussed in context of prior research and potential effects of stress and isolation during the pandemic. Clinical implications and suggestions for intervention are elaborated.

中文翻译：

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COVID-19 大流行期间年轻人的孤独感：社交媒体使用和寻求社会支持的中介作用

简介：由于 COVID-19 大流行，社会疏远和居家避难已成为美国公共卫生和安全的必要条件。这段社会孤立时期可能是心理健康问题的一个风险因素，尤其是在孤独率已经很高的年轻人中。与其他年龄组相比，年轻人也更多地使用社交媒体，这是一种与心理健康产生不利影响（包括孤独和抑郁）相关的社交形式。方法：本研究考察了社交媒体使用和寻求社会支持对 COVID-19 大流行期间年龄与孤独症状之间关系的潜在中介作用。参与者包括 1,674 名成年人，他们完成了一项关于抑郁症状、孤独感、应对策略、以及由于大流行而改变他们的日常生活。结果：结果表明，在大流行期间，年轻人比老年人更孤独，社交媒体使用增加更多，社会支持寻求减少。社交媒体使用的增加增加和寻求社会支持的减少在年龄组和孤独感之间起到了中介作用。讨论：在先前的研究以及大流行期间压力和孤立的潜在影响的背景下讨论了调查结果。详细阐述了干预的临床意义和建议。社交媒体使用的增加增加和寻求社会支持的减少在年龄组和孤独感之间起到了中介作用。讨论：在先前的研究以及大流行期间压力和孤立的潜在影响的背景下讨论了调查结果。详细阐述了干预的临床意义和建议。社交媒体使用的增加增加和寻求社会支持的减少在年龄组和孤独感之间起到了中介作用。讨论：在先前的研究以及大流行期间压力和孤立的潜在影响的背景下讨论了调查结果。详细阐述了干预的临床意义和建议。