THE TROIKA OF COVID-19, MEDIA EXPOSURE, AND MENTAL HEALTH: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF WORRY AND INTOLERANCE OF UNCERTAINTY

Abstract

COVID-19 has swiftly surpassed all borders. It has become a worldwide source of human infection, with all media companies exchanging breaking news and providing the most recent data from all nations. Consequently, people have suffered more significant discomfort, sadness, and violence due to excessive media exposure and information intake. The study intended to evaluate the function of exposure to the media and its detrimental influence on students’ mentalmainlyticularly through the mediation of worry and intolerance of ambiguity. Consequently, worry and uncertainty significantly moderate students’ mental health through the excessive intake of information (media exposure). A structural model based on these compounds was proposed. The research indicated a substantial relationship between the factors (media exposure, worry, intolerance, depression, and aggression). The outcomes of the investigation revealed no significant differences between men and women. This research is unique in developing a theoretical model describing the significance of media exposure, which will instill anxiety, and anxiety will lead to ambiguity, negatively impacting students' mental health.