How does social distancing during COVID-19 affect negative moods and memory?
Saved in:
| Title: | How does social distancing during COVID-19 affect negative moods and memory? |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Zhang, Weiwei (AUTHOR), Gao, Fei (AUTHOR), Gross, Julien (AUTHOR), Shrum, L. J. (AUTHOR), Hayne, Harlene (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Memory. Jan2021, Vol. 29 Issue 1, p90-97. 8p. |
| Subjects: | Social distancing, COVID-19, Viral transmission, Psychological well-being, Stay-at-home orders |
| Abstract: | In the absence of an effective vaccine or treatment, the current best defence against COVID-19 is social distancing – staying at home as much as possible, keeping distance from others, and avoiding large gatherings. Although social distancing improves physical health in terms of helping to reduce viral transmission, its psychological consequences are less clear, particularly its effects on memory. In this research, we investigated the effect of social distancing duration on negative moods and memory. The relation between social distancing duration and both negative mood and memory errors followed the same U-shaped function: negative moods and memory errors initially decreased as social distancing duration increased, and then at approximately 30 days, they began to increase. Subsequent analyses indicated that memory errors were mediated by lonely mood in particular. Thus, short-term social distancing might benefit psychological well-being and memory performance, but extended social distancing has a negative impact on mood and memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Memory is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
| Abstract: | In the absence of an effective vaccine or treatment, the current best defence against COVID-19 is social distancing – staying at home as much as possible, keeping distance from others, and avoiding large gatherings. Although social distancing improves physical health in terms of helping to reduce viral transmission, its psychological consequences are less clear, particularly its effects on memory. In this research, we investigated the effect of social distancing duration on negative moods and memory. The relation between social distancing duration and both negative mood and memory errors followed the same U-shaped function: negative moods and memory errors initially decreased as social distancing duration increased, and then at approximately 30 days, they began to increase. Subsequent analyses indicated that memory errors were mediated by lonely mood in particular. Thus, short-term social distancing might benefit psychological well-being and memory performance, but extended social distancing has a negative impact on mood and memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 09658211 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/09658211.2020.1857774 |
