Abstract:

Stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues were rising among College-aged students before Covid-19 Pandemic. It was no surprise that mental health issues soared during the pandemic given the isolation requirements, and sudden switch to online or hybrid learning environments. The social isolation prompted the increased use of technology and social media among these students as it provided the ability to safely stay in touch with their family and friends. However, it did not help in decreasing their stress and anxiety according to the results from regression analyses by Zaho and Zhau’s 2020 study. It indicated that a higher level of social media use was associated with worse mental health. They also noted that more exposure to disaster news via social media was associated with greater depression for participants with high (but not low) levels of the disaster stressors.

Scientific studies have shown how practice of Mindfulness can improve self-efficacy and decrease generalized anxiety and stress. Can college-aged students benefit from learning Mindfulness practices? Can designers promote Mindfulness using technology and social media among these students? These researchers hypothesized that an understanding of mindfulness and meditation can help guide users and designers to positively enhance experiences during times of uncertainty. Mindfulness and its benefits have a long and explored history, and the psychosomatic benefits has been the topic of several papers in the past. What is lacking from these papers, however, is the information about how mindfulness can be promoted using technology, and social media.

In this research study, these researchers focused on understanding how technology and social media can be used to extend the knowledge and benefits of mindfulness practices and help COVID-19 related anxiety and stress in college students. A mixed methods approach was adapted to conduct this research, including qualitative research through literature reviews, review of various Mindfulness practice related theories, precedent analysis, and quantitative research conducted through a series of online surveys and questionnaires. The data collected through this mixed methods approach was analyzed using AEIOU framework. In this paper, these researchers will share their research outcomes.

Keywords:

COVID-19, Mindfulness, Technology, Social Media, College Students, Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Mental Health.