Gender differences in the relationships between meaning in life, mental health status and digital media use during Covid-19

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on individuals' social lives, mental health status, and meaning in life (MIL). Globally, the use of different types of digital media has become a proxy for pre- COVID social lives for many people. This study investigated gender differences in the relationship between use of digital media, mental health status and MIL, during COVID-19 in Hong Kong. Methods This cross-sectional study surveyed 1,488 young people recruited via city-wide random sampling in 2021. Respondents completed a phone survey on digital media use, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-2), COVID-19 impact, meaning in life, and demographics. Gender differences in MIL were tested with an independent sample t-test. Gender-specific multiple linear regression models tested associations between MIL and explanatory variables of age, educational level, history of diagnosis, digital media use, and mental health status. Results There was a significant gender difference in MIL (males (M = 12.90, SD = 4.12); females (M = 13.45, SD = 3.96); t (1485) = -2.656, p =.008). For males, all variables significantly associated to MIL (F (9, 759) = 15.731, p <.000, R2 =.157). However, for females, while the overall model for MIL was significant (F (9, 709) = 12.105, p <.001, R2 =.133), the only significant associated variable was mental health status. Conclusion Females had significantly better MIL under COVID-19 than males. Digital media use contributed to MIL in males but not females, and there were gender-specific associated factors of MIL.