Zoomed out: digital media use and depersonalization experiences during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Anna Ciaunica, Luke McEllin, Julian Kiverstein, Vittorio Gallese, Jakob Hohwy, Mateusz Woźniak
Scientific reports March 10, 2022 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07657-8 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractDuring the COVID-19 lockdown, increased use of digital media and online social meetings correlated with higher feelings of depersonalisation—a sense of being detached from oneself, one's body, or the world. In a worldwide online study of 622 participants, those reporting more depersonalisation also reported enhanced vividness of negative emotions compared to positive ones. People whose lives were more affected by lockdown experienced depersonalisation more frequently. The findings suggest potential risks of overly sedentary, hyper-digitalised lifestyles that may induce feelings of living in one's 'head', disconnected from the body, self, and world.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 622 |
| Population | General population worldwide during the COVID-19 lockdown |
| Key finding | Increased use of digital media-based activities and online social e-meetings correlated with higher feelings of depersonalisation during lockdown. |
Abstract
Depersonalisation is a common dissociative experience characterised by distressing feelings of being detached or 'estranged' from one's self and body and/or the world. The COVID-19 pandemic forcing millions of people to socially distance themselves from others and to change their lifestyle habits. We have conducted an online study of 622 participants worldwide to investigate the relationship between digital media-based activities, distal social interactions and peoples' sense of self during the lockdown as contrasted with before the pandemic. We found that increased use of digital media-based activities and online social e-meetings correlated with higher feelings of depersonalisation. We also found that the participants reporting higher experiences of depersonalisation, also reported enhanced vividness of negative emotions (as opposed to positive emotions). Finally, participants who reported that lockdown influenced their life to a greater extent had higher occurrences of depersonalisation experiences. Our findings may help to address key questions regarding well-being during a lockdown, in the general population. Our study points to potential risks related to overly sedentary, and hyper-digitalised lifestyle habits that may induce feelings of living in one's 'head' (mind), disconnected from one's body, self and the world.