Factors Influencing Increased Use of Technology to Communicate With Others During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-sectional Web-Based Survey Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Communication via technology is regarded as an effective way of maintaining social connection and helping individuals to cope with the psychological impact of social distancing measures during a pandemic. However, there is little information about which factors have influenced increased use of technology to communicate with others during lockdowns and whether this has changed over time.

Objective

The aim of this study is to explore which psychosocial factors (eg, mental health and employment) and pandemic-related factors (eg, shielding and time) influenced an increase in communication via technology during the first lockdown in the United Kingdom.

Methods

A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted between April and July 2020, examining thoughts, feel

SUBMITTER: Dawe-Lane E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9644246 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature