Media exposure to COVID-19 predicted acute stress: A moderated mediation model of intolerance of uncertainty and perceived social support

Background: Previous studies have found that disaster-related media exposure could predict acute stress responses. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between media exposure to COVID-19 and acute stress, and less is known about the underlying mediating and moderating mechanisms. The current study explored the impact of media exposure to COVID-19 on acute stress, and examined mediating role of intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and the moderating role of perceived social support (PSS).
Methods: A total of 1483 Chinese participants (Mage = 27.93 years, SD = 8.45) completed anonymous online questionnaires regarding media exposure to COVID-19, IU, PSS, and acute stress during the COVID-19 outbreak in China.
Results: Media exposure to COVID-19 was positively related to acute stress, and IU partially mediated this relationship. The direct effect of media exposure to COVID-19 on acute stress, and the relationship between IU and acute stress, were both moderated by PSS. The impacts of both media exposure to COVID-19 and IU on acute stress were stronger for individuals with low PSS.
Limitations: This study only focused on the moderating effects of PSS, not investigating the potential moderating roles of other interpersonal factors. Meanwhile, the cross-sectional research design could not make any causal inferences.
Conclusions: These findings contribute to a better understanding of how and when pandemic-related media exposure affects acute stress, and provide new perspectives for the prevention to reduce psychological problems following traumatic events.