Did You Know News Addiction Damages Mental Health?

Written By:

Written By:

Mental Health News

Researchers at Texas Tech University explored how internet news addiction causes poor mental and physical health. The study is published in the journal Health Communication.

The Study

In order to understand the link between news addiction and mental health, the researchers analyzed data from an online survey of 1100 US adults.

In the survey, the participants were asked about their habits of news consumption, whether they had a healthy relationship with news consumption, their experienced feelings of stress and anxiety, as well as physical ailments (such as fatigue, physical pain, poor concentration, gastrointestinal issues, etc.).

The Findings

The results revealed that people who are addicted to news are more likely to suffer from stress, anxiety, poor mental wellbeing, as well as physical ill health.

Elaborating on how high-levels of news addiction trigger health conditions, one of the lead researchers, Bryan McLaughlin, remarked: “The economic pressures facing outlets, coupled with technological advances and the 24- hour news cycle have encouraged journalists to focus on selecting ‘newsworthy’ stories that will grab news consumers’ attention. However, for certain types of people, the conflict and drama that characterize newsworthy stories can lead to a maladaptive relationship with the news.

To Know More You May Refer To

McLaughlin, B., Gotlieb, M. R., & Mills, D. J. (2022). Caught in a Dangerous World: Problematic News Consumption and Its Relationship to Mental and Physical Ill-Being. Health communication, 1–11. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2022.2106086

— Share —

Published On:

Last updated on:

— About the Author —

  • The Psychological Toll Of Birth Control Side Effects: What You Need To Know

    The Psychological Toll Of Birth Control Side Effects: What You Need To Know

  • How Medical Alert Systems Support Mental Well-Being For Seniors

    How Medical Alert Systems Support Mental Well-Being For Seniors

  • Mindfulness and Sobriety: How Daily Reflections Foster Mental Clarity

    Mindfulness and Sobriety: How Daily Reflections Foster Mental Clarity

  • How Can You Streamline Your Insurance Check Before Seeing a Psychiatrist in California: A Practical Guide

    How Can You Streamline Your Insurance Check Before Seeing a Psychiatrist in California: A Practical Guide

  • A Mindful Approach to Managing Stress and Emotional Well-Being

    A Mindful Approach to Managing Stress and Emotional Well-Being

  • How Semaglutide Compares to Other Weight Loss Medications

    How Semaglutide Compares to Other Weight Loss Medications

  • Healing Beyond the Battlefield: How Financial Stability and Housing Support Improve Mental Health for Veterans with Disabilities

    Healing Beyond the Battlefield: How Financial Stability and Housing Support Improve Mental Health for Veterans with Disabilities

  • The Role of Early Intervention in Preventing Long-Term Mental Health Struggles

    The Role of Early Intervention in Preventing Long-Term Mental Health Struggles

  • Navigating Mental Health Education: Your Path to a Fulfilling Healthcare Career

    Navigating Mental Health Education: Your Path to a Fulfilling Healthcare Career

  • Botox vs. Fillers: Which is Right for You?

    Botox vs. Fillers: Which is Right for You?