Date of Award
8-28-2021
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Psychological Science, MS
First Advisor
Margaret Hance
Committee Members
Jessica Curtis; Kristin Biondolillo; Weston Sandusky
Call Number
LD 251 .A566t 2021 D76
Abstract
Previous research has shed light on reexperiencing trauma via news coverage (Moyers, 1996). With the growing age of social media, it seems likely that the risk of such reexperiences via social media outlets could be high. Yet, there is a lack of research examining news coverage on social media and its role, if any. This study examined the role of previous trauma, and then the effect of viewing similar traumatic images provided by social media on vicarious trauma, negative affect, and state anxiety. Participants were randomly assigned to view either traumatizing videos (e.g., military or natural disaster videos) or neutral (non-traumatizing) videos. Afterwards, participants were randomly assigned to view Military exposed Twitter feed (multiple posts on war footages, news photos) or non-military exposed Twitter feed (contained uplifting videos and photos). Finally, participants completed a battery of questionnaires that measured vicarious trauma, negative, and state-anxiety. Previous trauma did not play a role in vicarious trauma, state anxiety, and negative affect. The interaction between Twitter feeds and video conditions was not significant; however, participants in the military exposed Twitter feed scored significantly higher in anxiety and negative affect than those in the non-military exposed Twitter feed. The natural disaster condition, also, scored significantly higher in anxiety and negative affect than the control condition. Implications, limitations, and future research are discussed within the manuscript.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Dromgoole, Billy G., "The role of previous trauma to stressful media encounters" (2021). Student Theses and Dissertations. 314.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/314
