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Published on: March 1, 2019
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Age Differences in Media Consumption and Avoidance With Respect to COVID-19
Julia Nolte1, Stephanie L Deng2, Corinna E Löckenhoff1
1Human Development Department, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
Summary
Older adults consume less media and avoid it more during the COVID-19 pandemic. This behavior is linked to socioemotional and cognitive factors, not just avoidance motives.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Media Studies
- Public Health
Background:
- Older adults face higher risks from COVID-19.
- Despite risks, older adults show less media engagement regarding COVID-19.
- The reasons for this reduced media engagement remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related differences in media consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To explore the mechanisms behind media avoidance in different age groups.
- To identify factors influencing media use patterns in response to health crises.
Main Methods:
- A study surveyed 500 adults across a lifespan.
- Assessed changes in media consumption, media avoidance (self-reported and behavioral), and avoidance motives.
- Collected data on demographic, socioemotional, and cognitive factors.
Main Results:
- Older adults exhibited reduced media consumption and higher behavioral media avoidance.
- Conversely, older adults reported lower self-reported media avoidance and fewer avoidance motives.
- Age-related differences in affect, motivation, and cognition explained behavioral avoidance, but not other age effects.
Conclusions:
- Age differences in media use during the COVID-19 pandemic are not solely due to deliberate avoidance.
- Broader age-related variations in socioemotional and cognitive functioning influence media engagement.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for public health communication targeting diverse age groups.
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