I study media processes and effects, which is the psychology of how media messages can affect you.
Popular internet memes often develop their own names, such as Distracted Boyfriend, Squinting Woman and Handshakes.
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I partnered with colleaguesRobin NabiandNicholas Engto investigate the potential effect of mini meme breaks on peoplespandemic stress and emotions.
One group saw the COVID-19 memes, while a second group saw the memes not about COVID-19.
We asked particularly about how they felt about COVID-19 and their ability to cope with pandemic stress.
The topic of the memes mattered.
People who viewed memes about COVID-19 rated themselves as less stressed about life during a global pandemic.
More information processing was related to more confidence in their abilities to handle pandemic-related stress.
The pandemic, with its accompanying restrictions on travel, work and socializing, has beenan uncommonly stressful time.
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