Social Media as Information Support in Reducing COVID – 19 Depressions: Self-Efficacy as Mediator for Behavioral Modeling

With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, tackling mental health issues has become challenging too. A tendency has been observed in people spending more time on social media (SM) than usual and it has become the alternative source of interaction and news sharing. Previous research shows that intensive use of SM increases stress directly or indirectly. The aim of this study is to analyze the role of self-efficacy on information support from SM and COVID-19 depressions. To achieve this objective, a quantitative analysis was performed through an online questionnaire-based survey among SM users. The findings of this study prevail that with the help of effective information support from SM and through certain behavioral modifications with users’ high self-efficacy, COVID-19 stress might be lessened accordingly.