Overexposure to COVID-19 information amplifies emotional distress: a latent moderated mediation model

An infodemic has accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explores whether overexposure to COVID-19-related information amplifies emotional distress. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in China during the outbreak and after the peak of the pandemic (N = 1313). A latent moderated mediation model was built to analyze this relationship. COVID-19 information exposure was found to relate positively with emotional distress, and risk perception mediated the association between them. Additionally, psychological resilience moderated the mediating effects of risk perception. However, five factors of resilience differed in their moderating effects. This study offers theoretical and practical implications apropos clinical intervention and public health management.

Automated summary

This study explores the relationship between overexposure to COVID-19-related information and emotional distress. The findings show a positive correlation between COVID-19 information exposure and emotional distress, with risk perception mediating this association. Additionally, psychological resilience moderates the mediating effects of risk perception, but different resilience factors have varying effects. This study has theoretical and practical implications for clinical intervention and public health management.