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Smartphone Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Social Versus Physical Distancing

Author

Listed:
  • Meredith E. David

    (Department of Marketing, Hankamer School of Business, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA)

  • James A. Roberts

    (Department of Marketing, Hankamer School of Business, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the globe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, limiting face-to-face interaction is the best strategy for reducing the spread of COVID-19. We investigate the impact of social distancing on social connection and well-being, while also considering the moderating influence of smartphone use. In a survey of 400 students, the study presented herein finds that smartphone use attenuates the negative impact of social distancing on social connection and well-being. Contrary to popular sentiments regarding the influence of smartphone use on well-being, increased smartphone use during the pandemic may foster social connection and well-being. Overall, the research presented provides evidence that the perceived loss of social connection with others is not a de facto outcome of social distancing. The study’s findings have important implications for public policymakers, government officials, and others, including consumer researchers. These implications include stressing the important role technology can play in staying socially connected during the current pandemic and the importance of reframing “social distancing” as “physical distancing with social connectedness”.

Suggested Citation

  • Meredith E. David & James A. Roberts, 2021. "Smartphone Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Social Versus Physical Distancing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-8, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:3:p:1034-:d:486463
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Meredith E. David & James A. Roberts, 2017. "Phubbed and Alone: Phone Snubbing, Social Exclusion, and Attachment to Social Media," Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, University of Chicago Press, vol. 2(2), pages 155-163.
    2. Thomas Abel & David McQueen, 2020. "The COVID-19 pandemic calls for spatial distancing and social closeness: not for social distancing!," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 65(3), pages 231-231, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kezia Ruth October & Lisa Rene’ Petersen & Babatope Adebiyi & Edna Rich & Nicolette Vanessa Roman, 2021. "COVID-19 Daily Realities for Families: A South African Sample," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-18, December.
    2. Yang Li & Zhi Lin & Yibo Wu, 2022. "Exploring Depression among the Elderly during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Effects of the Big Five, Media Use, and Perceived Social Support," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-12, October.
    3. Trinh Xuan Thi Nguyen & Sumeet Lal & Sulemana Abdul-Salam & Pattaphol Yuktadatta & Louis McKinnon & Mostafa Saidur Rahim Khan & Yoshihiko Kadoya, 2022. "Has Smartphone Use Influenced Loneliness during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-12, August.
    4. Andrea Guazzini & Andrea Pesce & Lorena Marotta & Mirko Duradoni, 2022. "Through the Second Wave: Analysis of the Psychological and Perceptive Changes in the Italian Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-12, January.
    5. Livia Jonnatan & Cherisse L. Seaton & Kathy L. Rush & Eric P. H. Li & Khalad Hasan, 2022. "Mobile Device Usage before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Rural and Urban Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-17, July.
    6. Stefan Kaltschik & Christoph Pieh & Rachel Dale & Thomas Probst & Barbara Pammer & Elke Humer, 2022. "Assessment of the Long-Term Mental Health Effects on Austrian Students after COVID-19 Restrictions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-13, October.

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