When in doubt, Google it: distress-related information seeking in Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Psychological health has been one of the aspects affected by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. We aim to evaluate the patterns of Google search for mental distress symptoms of Italian citizens during the various phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We assessed Google searches for psychological-health related words. We gathered and analyzed data on daily search queries on depression, anxiety, and insomnia from Google Trends, in a time ranging from the Pre-COVID phase (beginning 25th January 2020) up to the second wave phase (ending 17th October 2020). We performed three general linear models on search trends of the three words and tested whether and to what extent official data about new cases of COVID-19, information searching on new cases, and the government heal

SUBMITTER: Monzani D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8528555 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature