PSYCHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF THE UKRAINIANS’ MENTAL HEALTH AND MEDIA CONTENT CONSUMPTION

Abstract

The research presented in this article provides systematic and structured information on the theoretical and empirical study of the relationship between Ukrainians’ mental health and the specifics of their consumption of media content. The conceptual hypothesis that there is a certain connection between the volume of media content consumption and the features of mental health during the period of military operations in the country is proved on the basis of analysis of the specifics of the media context influence of on the state of Ukrainians psychological and emotional manifestations in the third year of the full-scale invasion of the country. Two groups of subjects were formed according to the time of their media exposure, namely, up to 3 hours a day and more than 3 hours daily. Statistically significant differences in anxiety, depressive manifestations and stress reactions in the two groups of subjects have been identified and a higher level of mental conditions has been fixed in the group that consumes information less than 3 hours a day. The specifics of each group’s choice of certain coping strategies for overcoming anxiety, depression and stress have been also analyzed. The correlation and regression models made it possible to identify predictors of coping with these conditions. The results show that both groups are consumers of media content, but for different purposes. Representatives of the first group are focused on using content to receive information support and determine further actions. Instead, representatives of the second group are much more likely to use media to distract themselves and reduce emotional stress, as well as to escape from traumatic situations. At the same time, higher rates of stress, anxiety, and depression in the second group compared to the first indicate that excessive consumption of media content (in particular, more than three hours a day) can negatively affect mental health and contribute to its deterioration. The authors emphasize the need for conscious, dosed and time-controlled perception of media information.