To examine associations between COVID-19 media exposure and anxiety/perceived risk/severity and investigate their dependency on sex in middle-aged/older adults.
Methods
Adults aged 50+ years completed online surveys: Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, COVID-19 media exposure, COVID-19 media dependency for health information, and COVID-19 perceived risk and severity. Multiple regressions examined independent and interactive (with sex) associations between COVID-19 media exposure/dependency and COVID-19 anxiety/perceived risk and severity. Analyses controlled for age, education, race, total medical conditions, and COVID-19 status.
Results
Higher COVID-19 media exposure was associated with higher COVID-19 anxiety among men (not women) and higher perceived risk/severity in both sexes. Higher COVID-19 media dependency was associated with higher COVID-19 anxiety and perceived risk/severity in both sexes.
Conclusion
In middle-aged/older adults, the use/dependency of media for COVID-19 information may be linked to negative psychological health and increased COVID-19 perceived risk and severity. Men may be at increased risk of anxiety related to media exposure.
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