Using social media for health information on COVID-19 risk perceptions and mental health: An online survey of 4,580 pregnant women in China.

BACKGROUND Background: Social media has become an important source of health information during the COVID-19 period. Very little is known about the potential mental impact of social media use on pregnant women. OBJECTIVE Objective: The present study examined the association between using social media for health information, risk perception for COVID-19, worry due to COVID-19 and depression among pregnant women in China. METHODS Methods: A total of 4,580 pregnant women were recruited from various provinces of China and completed an online survey in March 2020. RESULTS Results: More than one-third (39.2%) reported always using social media for health information. Results from structural equation modeling showed that frequency of social media use for health information was positively associated with perceived susceptibility (β = .05, p <.001) and perceived severity of COVID-19 (β = .12, p < .001), which in turn, were positively associated with worry due to COVID-19 (β = .19 and .72, p <.001). Perceived susceptibility (β = .09, p <.001), perceived severity (β = .08, p <.001), and worry due to COVID-19 (β = .15. p <.001) all had a positive association with depression. Results from bootstrapping analysis showed that the indirect effects of frequency of social media use for health information on worry due to COVID-19 and depression were both significant. CONCLUSIONS Conclusions: The present study provided empirical evidence on how social media use for health information might have a negative impact on pregnant women's mental health. Interventions are needed to equip them with the skills to use social media properly. CLINICALTRIAL