The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Joining a Health Centered Online Social Network and on Virtual Discussion of Mental Health

Nakash, Maayan; Keinan, Ron; Margalit, Efraim; Bouhnik, Dan

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/117387 Copy

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Title

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Joining a Health Centered Online Social Network and on Virtual Discussion of Mental Health

Author(s)

• Nakash, Maayan
• Keinan, Ron
• Margalit, Efraim
• Bouhnik, Dan

Issue Date

2023-03-13

Keyword(s)

• Online health communities
• Health-centered online social network
• Mental Health
• Depression, anxiety, and COVID-19

Abstract

The study examines the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the characteristics of the asynchronous social interaction that occurs in “Ca-moni”; An Israeli health-centered Online Social Network (OSN), with 40 online communities managed by therapeutic experts. Analytical analysis was applied on big data we collected, with more than 30,800 users and more than 360,000 posts and comments received over more than a decade. The find-ings reveal that with the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, there was an increase in new members joining “Camoni” and a significant growth in the number of publications dealing with mental and community content. Specifically, we are seeing an acute increase in discourse in the “depression and anxiety” community during COVID-19, with much of it originating from new joiners. Gender differences in behavior in the online environment were found, when compared to men, women join the health-centered OSN more, are more ac-tive in communities dealing with mental issues and community, and post more in the “depression and anxiety” community before and during COVID-19. The results lay a solid foundation for further research in relation to gen-der gaps, vulnerable populations during crises, and the long-term psychologi-cal implications of the devastating pandemic.

Publisher

iSchools

Series/Report Name or Number

iConference 2023 Proceedings

Type of Resource

• Other
• text

Language

eng

Handle URL

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/117387

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2023 is held by Maayan Nakash, Ron Keinan, Efraim Margalit and Dan Bouhnik. Copyright permissions, when appropriate, must be obtained directly from the authors.

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