ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to present the possibility of using artificial neural networks to predict the impact of coronavirus-related social media activities on depression symptoms. This study aims to show in a broader context the possibilities of using these networks in psychological research. The data collected among the respondents during the lockdown were used as the input set. Coronavirus causes not only a disease whose course varies from asymptomatic, through mild respiratory disease, to severe pneumonia, and even multi-organ failure and septic shock. This virus also poses a threat to mental health, regardless of being infected. Although the effects of COVID-19 on mental health are constantly under investigation, it is still not fully understood. An especially interesting issue is the impact of the coronavirus news spreading en masse via social media. This study shows the possibility of exploration of this topic using artificial neural networks. All data were gathered in Poland during lockdown caused by the pandemic. The conducted research contributes to a better understanding of a serious threat to mental health caused by social media content on the example of depression, and the opportunities in analysis of such data with artificial neural networks.
