The Role of Social Media in the Formation of Social Phobia and Lifestyle Changes Caused by the Corona Virus (Case Study: Kermanshah City)

Today, the coronavirus outbreak has become a major global crisis and has affected many countries, including Iran. One of the consequences of the coronavirus outbreak is the creation of social phobia and rapid changes in people's lifestyles, which have been caused by social networks. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of social networks in the formation of social phobia and lifestyle changes caused by the corona virus in Kermanshah.

In terms of its approach the present study is quantitative and in terms of type and nature it is considered as a descriptive and survey type. Data collection tools were a standard questionnaire for social phobia and a researcher-made questionnaire for lifestyle change. The statistical population included citizens over 20 years old in Kermanshah. The sample size was 320 individuals who were selected by multi-stage cluster random sampling method. Factor analysis technique (construct validity) was used to assess validity and Cronbach's alpha was used for instrument reliability. Pearson correlation test and analysis of variance were used to analyze the data to test the hypotheses and Multiple Regression was used to test the experimental model. Data processing and analyses were performed using SPSS software.

The results showed that social networks have a significant effect on the formation of social phobia (r = 0.222) but have a non-significant relationship with lifestyle changes (r = 0.031). Also, domestic social networks have significant and inverse effects on the formation of social phobia (r = -0.175) and lifestyle changes (r = -0.115). The results of regression show that social networks Viber, Instagram and Facebook were able to explain 0.176 of the changes in lifestyle variables and Soroush messengers were able to explain 0.017 of the changes related to lifestyle changes.

In order to form logical and desirable behaviors instead of dramatic behaviors such as social phobia in the use of social networks, social agents have their priority in organizing information and knowledge and informing the target community about the constructive and harmful cases of these networks and their role and various social activities in the community