Universität zu Köln

Meier, Jennifer V., Noel, Josephine A. and Kaspar, Kai ORCID: 0000-0002-5092-6798 (2021). Alone Together: Computer-Mediated Communication in Leisure Time During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front. Psychol., 12. LAUSANNE: FRONTIERS MEDIA SA. ISSN 1664-1078

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Abstract

In spring 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a global pandemic and several lockdowns were followed in Germany. To weaken the spread of the virus, SARS-CoV-2, people were required to reduce their face-to-face contact with others. Computer-mediated communication (CMC) offers opportunities to stay in touch with important people and still meets social needs. During the first lockdown in spring 2020, we collected data from 679 participants to explore the role of CMC for social interaction in the context of leisure activities and how personal characteristics contribute to such media use. Results showed that people complied with the restriction and shifted their communication to several media, especially instant messengers and video calls. Many leisure activities were performed via CMC, especially low-key activities, such as just talking or simply spending time together. Perceived social closeness to others was positively related to the quality and quantity of CMC. The extent of leisure activities that people experienced with others via communication media was higher among younger individuals, males, and individuals with higher scores on positive state affect, extraversion, openness, and fear of missing out. The preference for solitude showed a negative relation. The motivation to continue using media for communication after the pandemic was strongly related to the quality and quantity of actual use. Low extraversion and high openness were related to higher motivation for future use. Implications such as the importance of providing fast internet and good usability of communication media as well as the relevance of increasing media literacy of people are discussed.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Meier, Jennifer V. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Noel, Josephine A. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Kaspar, Kai UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0002-5092-6798 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-565311
DOI:	10.3389/fpsyg.2021.666655
Journal or Publication Title:	Front. Psychol.
Volume:	12
Date:	2021
Publisher:	FRONTIERS MEDIA SA
Place of Publication:	LAUSANNE
ISSN:	1664-1078
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Human Sciences
Divisions:	Faculty of Human Sciences > Department Psychologie Weitere Institute, Arbeits- und Forschungsgruppen > Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für empirische LehrerInnen- und Unterrichtsforschung (IZeF)
Subjects:	Psychology Education
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language SELF-EFFICACY; SOCIAL MEDIA; INDIVIDUAL-DIFFERENCES; NEGATIVE AFFECT; GRATIFICATIONS; EXTROVERSION; PERSONALITY; NEUROTICISM; TECHNOLOGY; VALIDATION Multiple languages Psychology, Multidisciplinary Multiple languages
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/56531