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Objective: To explore differences before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in electronic media use (i.e. TV watching, social media use, screen time), health (i.e. physical, behavioral, social, mental), and the relationship between them among college students. Participants: Nine hundred sixty-five United States college students with 367 participating before and 598 during the pandemic (after March 2020). Methods: Using a multiple cross-sectional design, participants completed an online self-report questionnaire and biometric data was gathered in-person for the Pre-COVID group. Results: During the pandemic, time spent watching TV and social media was 14% higher and total screen time was 30% higher (d =.39). Health variations were mixed with both adverse and beneficial differences. Most correlations between electronic media use and health variables were lower in strength during the pandemic. Conclusions: Differences between electronic media use and health before and during the pandemic suggest potential mixed effects of the pandemic on college student media use and health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol use disorders (AUD) are pressing social problems. News media play a key role in setting the agenda for the public discourse and framing these problems. They provide people affected and unaffected with health-related information on different facets of the disease and present the topic in various contexts. In doing so, they shape the public opinion and influence behaviors. On the basis of an explorative quantitative content analysis of N = 402 articles published in 2019 in nine German newspapers and magazines, this study provides information on the topic-specific framing with regard to AUD. The results show only scant contextualization of the topic in the German media. This deficiency has particular regard to causal relationships and treatment opportunities, leaving room for interpretation from the audience. The topic-specific framing analysis showed that articles on AUD mostly appear either in the context of celebrities, endorsing favorable presentations of recovered people, or in the context of crime and violence, which goes hand in hand with portraying acutely affected people as perpetrators. Increased news coverage that includes the portrayal of non-famous people who have successfully engaged in alcohol treatment and recovery is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children who open their eyes to a digital world begin interacting with screens in the early years of life. The interaction between screens and children starts from the very first moments of life and intensifies over time. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of screen use patterns on the life habits of preschool children. In this context, the relationships between problematic media use, eating habits, and self-care skills among preschool children are analyzed from various perspectives. Structured according to a mixed-methods research approach, this study employs both qualitative and quantitative research designs. The study group consists of 582 children continuing their education in preschool institutions across seven different regions and nine different provinces in Turkey, along with 20 of their parents. Random and non-random sampling methods were used to form the study group. Quantitative data were collected using the Problematic Media Use Measure, Children's Eating Behavior Inventory, and Preschool Children (36–72 months) Self-Care Skills Scale—Teacher Form, while qualitative data were gathered through a semi-structured parent interview form. The study results indicate that problematic media use and eating behaviors significantly vary according to the screen time of children, with an increase in problematic media use linked to a rise in negative eating behaviors. Parents are found to perceive the use of media devices during mealtime as a necessity, thus employing them, and believe that their children's social behaviors are shaped according to screen content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lately, there has been massive media coverage of gang-related criminality in 'exposed areas' in Sweden. Politicians have blamed the illegal drugs trade without questioning the country's prohibitionist drug policy. This study analyzes how cannabis is constructed in Swedish newspaper articles that mention both organized crime and cannabis. We ask how the drug and its buyers and sellers are described, what discourses are drawn upon, and discuss the relationship between media coverage and drug policy. We analyzed recent (2021) articles from four newspapers (n = 71) through Critical Discourse Analysis. Cannabis was constructed as a commodity linked to violence and deviance. Agency was attributed to people with power and status (e.g. gang leaders), and recreational cannabis users were described as guilty of feeding organized crime. A combination of economic and moral discourses was used to make the reported events meaningful, and to motivate both prohibition and decriminalization/legalization. The study shows that assumedly neutral journalistic voices emphasized the link between cannabis and violence and problematized cannabis buyers and sellers. This homogenous media coverage will probably contribute to keep the question of cannabis law reform discursively lifeless in Sweden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research is interested in the ways the media 'holds together' science, history, and culture in the coverage of a new and frightening disease outbreak. Building on previous studies, which have shown that meanings given to an epidemic take shape within pre-existing geographies of hope and blame, and drawing upon Douglas' understanding of risk and blame, this article explores the relation between perceived epidemic risk, outbreak narratives and accusation. It analyses how different outbreak risk narratives evolved in UK media articles (n = 227) during the first three months of the 2022 Mpox outbreak. Findings highlight a shifting accusatory dynamic in narrative framings over time. They illustrate that as the epidemic risk was framed as increasing, the most prominent narratives shift from the accusation of distant racialised others to an increasingly 'proximal blame' tendency, which initially targets marginalised local groups, followed by societal structures and institutions. We argue that this general trend of meaning-making and blame during epidemics is historically recurring and, considering this chronic reaction to outbreak risk, we conclude by suggesting potential avenues of thought for communication strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fake news impacts individuals' behavior and decision-making while also disrupting political processes, perceptions of medical advice, and societal trends. Improving individuals' ability to accurately assess fake news can reduce its harmful effects. However, previous research on media literacy interventions designed for improving fake news credibility assessments has yielded inconsistent results. We systematically collected 33 independent studies and performed a meta-analysis to examine the effects of media literacy interventions on assessing fake news credibility (n = 36,256). The results showed that media literacy interventions significantly improved fake news credibility assessments (Hedges' g = 0.53, 95% confidence interval [0.29–0.78], p < 0.001). Gaming interventions were the most effective intervention form. Conversely, the intervention channel, outcome measurement, and subject characteristics (age, gender, and country development level) did not influence the intervention effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fraction of Hispanic people in the U.S. uses Spanish-language news because a language barrier prevents them using English-language news. Functional theory suggests ethnic media serve ethnic community needs ignored by mainstream media. Research on how Spanish-language news serves U.S. Hispanic communities and differs from English-language news typically studies large, politically liberal cities with large Hispanic populations, neglecting Hispanic people living elsewhere. Content analysis of local newscasts to assess differences between network-affiliated, English-language television stations and the Telemundo affiliate serving a mid-sized, midwestern, politically conservative market addresses these limitations. An analytic framework derived from functional theory categorizes community needs as informational and representational. Results show significantly different agendas between Spanish- and English-language news. Spanish-language news airs more human interest and government stories and fewer crime stories. It addresses unique informational needs, helping orient newcomers and airing government stories that sustain ties to Spanish-speaking countries. Regarding representation, results show Hispanic people are invisible to a greater extent than they are negatively portrayed in English-language news. Thus, Spanish-language local television news serves the Hispanic community by making it visible to itself. However, Spanish-language news focuses on the Hispanic community rather than being a general news source, supplementing rather than substituting for English-language news. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the role of general news media consumption during COVID-19 in aggravating mental health and suicide risk in the US population. In a sample of U.S. adults (N = 5,010), we investigated how mental health, COVID-19 health beliefs, and general news consumption influenced the odds of suicidal ideation using hierarchical logistic regression models. Both worsening mental health overall and specifically in regard to COVID-19 increased suicidal ideation. Perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 infection did not increase suicidal ideation, yet higher levels of COVID-19 self-efficacy reduced suicidal ideation. Overall news consumption did not affect suicidal ideation, but media-specific post-hoc analyses revealed that TV news watching decreased suicidal ideation as much as high levels of COVID-19 self-efficacy decreased suicidal ideation. Furthermore, online news consumption increased suicidal ideation as much as worsening mental health overall increased suicidal ideation. Further implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, healthcare workers were devastated by the insufficient preparedness to respond to their patients' and personal health needs. A gap exists in resources to prevent or reduce acute and long-term healthcare worker mental illnesses resulting from COVID-19 frontline response. Methods: We performed an exploratory, mixed methods, longitudinal study of healthcare workers at a regional rural-urban hospital system in the Midwest United States during the COVID-19 response (4 timepoints, 2020). Using the Total Worker Health® (TWH) participatory needs assessment approach, self-identified frontline COVID-19 workers participated in a survey including Health-Related Quality of Life, Impact of Event Scale, and a modified version of the American Nursing Association COVID-19 survey; and a hospital timeline tracked system-level activities. Findings: Response rate at Timepoint (T)1 was 21.7% (N = 39) and of those, 14 (36%) completed all four surveys. From T1 to T4, the rate of COVID-19 patients steadily increased, staff exceeded the threshold for post-traumatic stress disorder at T1 and T4; staff reported not enough rest or sleep 50% of the month, T1-T4. Helpfulness of family support increased but community support decreased, T1-T4. Concerns with performing new tasks increased; the challenges related to lack of protective equipment and negative media decreased. Workers wanted to be involved in decision-making, desired timely communication, and needed adequate physical, environmental, and psychological supports. Conclusions/Applications for Practice: Utilization of a TWH® strategy for describing health needs, hospital response, and multi-level staff suggestions to workplace health solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic identified evidence-based health promotion interventions in a hospital system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: News reporting on mental illness can perpetuate stigma. An understanding of the current picture of such reporting is important to identify areas for improvement. This study investigated the quality of Australian news media coverage of complex mental illness in the context of crime and violence over a 2-year period, prior to the release of new media guidelines. Methods: This research utilised a systematic search of Australian news articles that were published between July 2018 and July 2020 and reported on mental illness in relation to violent crime. Researchers developed a Mental Illness and Crime Reporting Quality Framework to determine quality scores for news articles according to 11 relevant factors in media guidelines. An additional 11 characteristics of articles were extracted for further descriptive analysis. Results: One-hundred and twenty-eight Australian news articles met inclusion criteria. The average quality score was 50 (SD = 13.91) out of a possible maximum score of 100 (range 11–78). Strengths and weaknesses were identified as some criteria were consistently met, and other criteria were met rarely or not at all. There were emerging trends between quality scores and article characteristics, including publication source, though these analyses were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The findings indicate that Australian news coverage of complex mental illness and violent crime met half of the criteria of reporting guidelines that minimises risk of perpetuating or reinforcing stigma. This demonstrates significant opportunity to improve the overall quality of media reporting on crime and mental illness. Future research should evaluate the impact of the guidelines on the quality of news reporting after their implementation by utilising a similar methodology, using these findings as a baseline measure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aimed to compare COVID-19 health policy and programme responses in 16 Northern and Indigenous regions in Canada. The goal was to summarise strategies used to mitigate the initial spread of the pandemic while highlighting aspects that reflect Indigenous values. Methods: A scoping review of grey literature was completed, focusing on territorial, regional health authority, and community level websites. Further media analysis was conducted to reach saturation regarding policy changes and programmes implemented to prevent transmission, improve health communication, access testing, provide health services effectively, secure borders, and provide financial assistance. Common responses were mapped on the Women's College Hospital's Wholistic Framework for Safe Wellness to identify aspects that reflected Indigenous values. This framework utilises the medicine wheel to discuss physical health (body), ceremony (spirit), community health (heart), and assessment (mind). Results: The Women's College Hospital's Wholistic Framework for Safe Wellness quadrants of the body, spirit and heart were covered by most regions via health communication efforts, adaptations to traditional practices, and continuation of care during the pandemic, respectively. It was found that 13 regions had pandemic responses adapted for Indigenous populations. Conclusions: The responses in each Northern region show that protecting each community was a priority; however, policies and programmes were developed as a kaleidoscope of what can be done quickly and evaluated later. Assessment, risk, and prevention, covered by the mind quadrant of the Women's College Hospital's Wholistic Framework for Safe Wellness, were missing in initial emergency responses. Increasing capacity for emergency management in Northern and Indigenous regions will require contingency planning that acknowledges and builds off traditional knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To explore the experiences of Black women healthcare professionals during the pandemic in the United States, with a particular focus on those in sister circles. Design: This is qualitative research with data from online survey results. Methods: A qualitative survey was distributed through listservs and via social media from December 2021–April 2022. The qualitative data were analyzed using a thematic analysis to extract the themes. Results: There were 69 respondents, primarily represented in hospitals, dentist offices, and mental health offices. The majority of respondents stated that they had one to three sister circles, with them primarily being formed online. The themes that arose from the meanings of membership in sister circles during the pandemic were (1) sister circles offered them a space to be sane and safe, (2) members received access to professional support, and (3) they are needed. As Black women healthcare professionals, the workplace messages they received were (1) either their workplace provided them with solidarity or (2) made them feel unsafe and undervalued. Conclusion: Sister circles provided these Black women healthcare professionals with a space of coping during the pandemic, as well as a site to respond to their workplace burnout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past 15 years, sport scholars have expressed an increased interest in public sociology, while the rapid acceleration of digital media has led to significant shifts in the sport media landscape. In this paper, we analyze our experiences at the confluence of these two trends as scholarly bloggers about hockey. We present self-reflexive personal vignettes—centred around themes of engaging publics, marginality, and negative outcomes—and use intersectional analysis to critique how our privileges and social locations enabled or constrained our public engagement. In doing so, we raise theoretical and practical questions about the possibilities and challenges associated with sport scholars' digital public engagement and provide fresh contributions to ongoing debates about public sociology of sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Through the filtering of information, the creation, and reinforcement of stereotypes, media moulds attitudes and set agendas on critical social issues including public policy and disability. Methods: This study explored Australian media representations of the care of people with intellectual disability during a crucial period in disability policy change: the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) rollout (2013–2018). Search criteria identified 168 news stories, examined via content analysis and news framing. Results: Four major issues were identified: Roles and responsibilities of government; housing; mistreatment of persons with intellectual disability, and responsibility of care for families. Stories tended to be presented negatively, however, regional and local/community metropolitan stories were more balanced or positive compared with major metropolitan stories. Conclusion: Despite significant disability policy change, media presentations continue to reinforce stereotypes of people with intellectual disability and position the government as one continuing to fall short in critical areas of funding, safety, and support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sport, football in particular, and the media have developed a complex, mutually advantageous relationship over several decades. However, to date, studies on this symbiotic relationship are still limited, noting an apparent lack of scientific support, especially concerning the effects that the media can have on professional football players. Thus, this narrative review aimed to contribute to a better understanding of this phenomenon. The literature on this matter focuses mainly on audiences, considered here as recipients of messages. However, essentially, studies indicate some difficulty in defining a specific communication model for sport, namely regarding the hypothetical cause/effect relationship (message/effect on the receiver). Furthermore, it should be considered that this media/sport symbiosis evolves over time in a self-feeding circuit, boosted by technology and the social and cultural context that surrounds sports. Although the consulted literature suggests the existence of an effect of the media in professional football, there does not seem to be solid evidence of this influence, for example, in the sports readiness of players and/or teams. In the opinion of the consulted authors, the subject requires a bio-behavioural approach in the sense of providing explanations for behavioural events but also of a psychophysiological nature associated with competitive stress. There will be a long way to go in understanding this issue, where the perspective of professional football players and coaches will appear as an immediate and fundamental contribution to leverage research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Health journalism had a key role in the COVID-19 pandemic around the world. In Brazil, the misinformation and scientific uncertainty had an impact on physical and mental health journalists. Objective: To understand the perception of journalists in the capital of Brazil about their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: Qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research, with content analysis of online interviews with journalists who work with topics on COVID-19 during the pandemic. Results: The life and working conditions of journalists in the pandemic were changed, with the need for more caution to explain, disseminate and update people about COVID-19. There was more work, difficulties and slowness in gathering information. The home office, the use of new technologies for preparing and editing the news were also mentioned as a positive thing. Conclusion: The pandemic changed the way of Brazilian journalism, with challenges and opportunities that must be accompanied by the managers, workers and health communication researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From a constructionist perspective, this study analysed the extent to which sports coverage arouses public identity of belonging to a specific nation, focusing specifically on newspaper coverage of the 2023 World Baseball Classic in Japan, and clarified the type of ‘discourses of nationalism’ were evoked in the coverage. Three types of nationalistic discourse were identified: those centered around ‘us’ (1), discussions concerning the ‘other’ (2), and dialogues involving the ‘internal other’ (3). First, regarding (1) the ‘us’ discourse, we focused on comments about the style of play of Japanese players and the Japanese national team, which was dominated by the term ‘small baseball’ prior to the WBC 2023. ‘Small baseball’ is an offensive style of play based on the assumption that Japanese players are physically weak and that they score runs by hitting singles and aggressive base running rather than hitting home runs. As the tournament progressed, however, commentary on ‘small baseball’ diminished and the ‘power’ of the Japanese players was emphasised instead. At the same time, ‘togetherness’ was emphasised, and many episodes reinforcing this were reported. Next, with regard to (2) the ‘other’ discourse, we looked for comments that stereotyped the opposing nation. However, we did not find symbolic boundary-drawing expressions of self and other, or overtly hateful expressions towards the ‘other’, as is the case in British newspapers. However, this does not mean that there was no bias against the ‘other’ in the Japanese press. Japanese coverage of the WBC 2023 easily stereotyped certain nations by bringing in characteristics of other sports, and naively stereotyped nations such as Italy and Mexico based on the very broad regional characteristics of Latin culture. Such stereotypical commentary was more common in the sports press than in the general press. Finally, with regard to (3) the ‘inner other’ discourse, we focused on the representation of Lars Nootbaar, who was selected for the Japanese national team for the WBC 2023. Before and during the tournament, his dedication, courage and ‘uniquely Japanese’ style of play, as well as his attempts to assimilate into Japanese culture in various aspects, were positively reported. Such commentary was intended to underline his moral qualifications for the national team, and the term ‘samurai’ was used to bestow upon him a symbol of approval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Media discourses have the power to construct and perpetuate positive and negative aging images and influence public and individuals' attitudes. This study aims to critically examine the media portrayal of older persons' everyday information and communication technology (EICT) usage during the first and second waves of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Research Design and Methods A total of 51 articles published in 3 leading German newspapers between March 2020 and November 2020 were identified from the LexisNexis Academic database. Data were analyzed employing critical discourse and thematic analysis. Results EICT use was associated with youthful, consumption-orientated, and active lifestyles, while nonuse was constructed as failures on the policy or individual level. The pandemic seemed to have acted as an amplifier, further exacerbating and perpetuating stereotypical, dichotomous, but also empowering aging images. Discussion and Implications Neoliberal rational and binary distinctions of active users and nonusers opened and encouraged critical discussions on positive aging trends, the concept of the third and fourth ages, and aging-and-innovation discourses. Moreover, the crucial educative role of the media in raising awareness about power imbalances and reducing EICT-related ageism is stressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The Paralympic Games is the largest sporting competition for athletes with an impairment. This competition has, however, had limited news coverage in the past particularly compared to the Olympic Games. This study analyzes newspaper coverage of the 2016 Paralympic Games by two newspapers in 11 countries (China, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom). The coverage period spanned 7-19 September 2016. Text and pictures were coded according to page number, content, gender, sport, and nationality of person. Media content analysis was used to extract coverage of themes. Results are presented using descriptive statistics and frequency counts. Of the 623 articles and 541 photographs analysed, a small percentage (7.3%) were on the front pages of newspapers. Most articles and photographs (78.7%) were about athletes or teams. There was more coverage of male athletes (53.2%) and local athletes (71.6%). The Paralympic Games has historically received less newspaper coverage than the Olympic Games. This study examined newspaper coverage of the 2016 Paralympic Games from 11 countries. For the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, newspaper coverage in most countries was good, lasting nearly the whole duration, and this also included a number of front page reports. The type of coverage and number of reports differ between countries. Generally, the highest medal winning countries gave more media attention to the Games. The news reports focused primarily on their local athletes and teams. Moreover, males had more news coverage than females overall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine whether social media criticisms posted by small investors can predict subsequent firm acquisition decisions. Specifically, we use textual analysis to examine the internet stock message board postings of 303 value-reducing acquisition attempts. Our empirical evidence shows that small investors' negative postings are able to predict a potential acquirer's subsequent decision to withdraw its attempt. We further find that this predictive ability increases with the information quality of postings, and that the predictive information extracted from social media is incremental to that captured by proposal announcement returns, conventional media coverage, analyst reports, and institutional investors' responses related to the proposed acquisition. Finally, we show that message board criticisms are also able to predict governance outcomes beyond acquisition decisions. Overall, our results are consistent with the notion that social media play a role in corporate governance by gathering crowd wisdom and uncovering additional value-relevant information. JEL Classifications: G34; G14; M41. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is a major threat to public health worldwide. Conversely, well-designed action to mitigate climate change offers numerous opportunities to improve health and equity. Despite this, comprehensive climate action has not been forthcoming within New Zealand. The media plays an important role in shaping public opinion and support for policy change. Previous literature has suggested that certain types of framing may be more effective than others at encouraging support for climate action and policy. This includes positive, personally relevant framing, as well as key journalistic tools which appear counter-intuitive, such as an increase in human interest stories and 'sensationalist' framing. We undertook a qualitative thematic analysis of climate change and health media coverage in two online New Zealand news outlets to understand how the issue was framed, and how it may be framed more effectively to encourage climate action. We compared the framing used by journalists in mainstream media outlet the New Zealand Herald Online (NZHO) with that of contributors to independent news repository site Scoop. Content in both outlets emphasized the threat unchecked climate change poses to health, which overshadowed the positive health opportunities of climate action. The NZHO was more prone to negative framing, and more likely to favour stories which could be sensationalized and were international in scope. We considered the possible effectiveness of the framing we found for attracting greater media attention and encouraging support for climate action and policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical activity may promote cognitive health in older adults. Popular media play an important role in preventive health communication. This study examined articles discussing associations between physical activity and cognitive health in top-circulating magazines targeting older adults. 42,753 pages of magazines published from 2006 to 2008 were reviewed; 26 articles met inclusion criteria. Explanations regarding the link between physical activity and cognitive health were provided in 51.1% of articles. These explanations were generally consistent with empirical evidence; however, few articles included empirical evidence. Physical activity recommendations were presented in 80.8% of articles; a wide range was recommended (90-300 min of physical activity per wk). Socioeconomic status and education level were not mentioned in the text. Results suggest an opportunity for greater coverage regarding the role of physical activity in promoting cognitive health in popular media. Magazine content would benefit from including more empirical evidence, culturally sensitive content, and physical activity recommendations that are consistent with U.S. guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In the last decade, the use of digital devices among children has increased. This study examines the effects of parent–child interaction training on the amount of time children use digital devices, conflict and closeness in parent–child relationships, executive functions, and the electroencephalogram absolute power in children who excessively use the digital devices. Method: The sample group consisted of 12 children (24 to 47 months) who spent more than half of their waking hours using digital devices. Parents were trained to intensive interaction with the child for two months. Electroencephalogram absolute power, parent–child interaction, the amount of time children use digital devices, and children's executive function skills were assessed. Results: Parent–child intensive interaction reduces the use of digital devices; decrease the conflicts and increase the closeness in parent–child relationships; decrease executive functioning problems; and increase the absolute power of alpha and alpha 2 (F3), beta 1 (F3), and beta and beta 2 (F3, Fp2). Conclusion: These findings provide evidence of the negative effects of the excessive use of digital devices in children, the importance of parent–child interaction, and its positive impacts on cognitive and brain functions in children. It might contribute to better understand the importance of parent–child interaction in the early years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]