Assessment of Psychological Well-being among Social Media Users Following Exposure to Climate Disaster Content: A Case of Pakistani University Students

Abstract

This cross-sectional, correlational study documented responses of 101 Pakistani university students through convenience sampling to measure the relationship between exposure to climate disaster content on social media and post exposure psychological well-being among Pakistani university students. The findings of the research noted a significant positive correlation between the independent and dependent variables. The results revealed that female and undergraduate students were more exposed to climate disaster content on social media, and in turn suffered low psychological wellbeing (more stress) than male respondents and graduate students. The findings of this study may be used as a reference for taking measures for content regulation on social media, developing interventions to treating climate-induced stress and anxiety by the clinical psychologists, and raising awareness among communities to upload and get exposed to beneficial media content and avoid eco-anxiety.