Exploring Temporal Evaluations of Interpersonal Social Media Surveillance During the COVID-19 Lockdown

Abstract

The occurrence of the novel coronavirus necessitates a better understanding of how romantic partners use social technology to cope with health stressors. This exploratory study, therefore, examined whether COVID-related health concerns regarding oneself or one’s romantic partner before/during quarantine predict, or are predicted by, emerging adults’ engagement in social media surveillance of their romantic partner. Participants (N = 181 emerging adults in a romantic relationship) responded to online surveys at two points during spring 2020. Findings from a cross-lagged analysis indicate that COVID-related health concerns for oneself before stay-at-home orders predicted emerging adult’s participation in social media surveillance of a romantic partner during COVID quarantine. This study serves as an initial inquiry into how health-related concerns impact technology use in romantic relationships and how they serve to modify digital participation during a global crisis (i.e., the COVID-19 pandemic). Limitations, future research directions, and implications of the study are discussed.

Keywords

COVID romantic relationship social media stress surveillance technology

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