Click here to sign in with or
Forget Password?
Learn more
share this!
20
Twit
Share
Email
July 13, 2023
This article has been reviewed according to Science X’s editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content’s credibility:
fact-checked
peer-reviewed publication
proofread
by Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences
During COVID-19-related lockdowns, face-to-face communication was of much greater importance for mental health than digital communication alternatives. This is according to a study conducted by the Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences in Krems,
Among the digital alternatives, in turn, text communication (mail, SMS, WhatsApp) surprisingly had stronger positive effects on mental well-being than the popular video conferencing. The results of the study were recently published in Scientific Reports.
During the COVID-related lockdowns, appeals were made worldwide to maintain social contacts—while keeping a physical distance (social distancing). Many individuals, companies, and organizations such as schools heeded these appeals and dramatically increased their use of digital communications. However, the extent to which these alternatives can replace face-to-face communication when it comes to psychological well-being has remained unclear. Now, the study from KL Krems has published interesting data to clarify this question.
Recipe for mental health
“The results of our comprehensive study are unequivocal,” explains Dr. Willinger, a researcher in the Division of Psychological Methodology at KL Krems. “Face-to-face interpersonal contact was highly beneficial to mental well-being during the lockdown.”
In fact, the results show that mental health was significantly influenced by the extent of face-to-face communication in presence. This influence was so strong that the importance of this communication type could even be demonstrated for individual days with above-average personal contact.
Says Dr. Willinger, “The study participants simply fared better psychologically on those days when they had more face-to-face conversations.”
Data collection during the pandemic provided ongoing information on contactactivities and mental well-being for over 400 individuals from several countries. In addition, the extent and nature of other activities (e.g., sports) as well as gender, age, nationality, or relationship status were collected. In this way, nearly 10,000 data sets were collected, which were then analyzed using complex statistical evaluations.
The study found personal face-to-face contacts to be clearly the most important factor in mental well-being. Even physical activities or time spent outdoors could not match their importance. Additionally with digital text communication or video chats, these positive effects on mental health were significantly less pronounced than with face-to-face communication.
‘Write again…’
However, the research team experienced another surprise as it compared the importance of the different digital communication channels.
Intuitively, they had assumed that video conferences enriched with facial expressions, gestures and eye contact were “better for the mood” than typing on keyboards to send text messages. But it turned out to be just the opposite. Dr. Willinger says, “Using a special statistical model, we were able to show that mails, SMS or WhatsApp were better for the mental well-being of the study participants than video chats and conferences.”
In fact, this unexpected result fits in with brand-new comparable studies and individual case reports. For example, experts are currently discussing so-called “zoom fatigue”, i.e. exhaustion caused by video conferencing. Possible causes are suspected to be tension about one’s own appearance during the transmission, unusually long eye contacts, oversized facial images thanks to large monitors, camera positions that create an intimidating viewing angle from above, or cognitive problems caused by technical delays in sound-image synchrony.
For the team, the question at the end of the current study is whether future advanced Internet technologies will manage to implement digital communication in such a way that they can replace the now confirmed positive effects of personal communication in presence. Because, according to their study, until now, face-to-face interaction still supports mental well-being the most.
More information: S. Stieger et al, Face-to-face more important than digital communication for mental health during the pandemic, Scientific Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34957-4
More information: S. Stieger et al, Face-to-face more important than digital communication for mental health during the pandemic, Scientific Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34957-4
Explore further
Feedback to editors
Jul 13, 2023
0
Jul 10, 2023
0
Jul 7, 2023
0
Jul 6, 2023
0
Jul 6, 2023
0
5 hours ago
21 hours ago
21 hours ago
21 hours ago
22 hours ago
22 hours ago
22 hours ago
23 hours ago
23 hours ago
23 hours ago
Dec 9, 2021
Sep 9, 2020
Jul 26, 2021
May 23, 2023
Aug 3, 2022
Aug 9, 2022
22 hours ago
22 hours ago
Jul 14, 2023
Jul 14, 2023
Jul 14, 2023
Jul 14, 2023
Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form. For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines).
Please select the most appropriate category to facilitate processing of your request
Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors.
Your feedback is important to us. However, we do not guarantee individual replies due to the high volume of messages.
Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Neither your address nor the recipient’s address will be used for any other purpose. The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Medical Xpress in any form.
Get weekly and/or daily updates delivered to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time and we’ll never share your details to third parties.
More information Privacy policy
We keep our content available to everyone. Consider supporting Science X’s mission by getting a premium account.
Daily science news on research developments and the latest scientific innovations
The latest engineering, electronics and technology advances
The most comprehensive sci-tech news coverage on the web
This site uses cookies to assist with navigation, analyse your use of our services, collect data for ads personalisation and provide content from third parties. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.