Digital Echoes: Examining Social Media's Dual Impact on Post-disaster Trauma and Recovery

Abstract
In today’s era, social media is a powerful force in shaping public perceptions and emotional responses to traumatic events. This study investigates the dual role of social media as both an amplifier of indirect trauma and a facilitator of psychological recovery, focusing on the Sewol Ferry Disaster (2014) and the Itaewon Crowd Crush (2022) as case studies. These significant human-made disasters in South Korea provide a unique lens through which to explore how digital platforms impact the psychological well-being of individuals who are indirectly exposed to trauma through online interactions.

Research Objectives
The objectives of this study were to examine how social media amplifies indirect trauma and contributes to the development of dissociative symptoms in individuals who witness these events online, to analyze how social media platforms serve as communal spaces for grieving and psychological recovery, offering support networks and coping mechanisms and to explore the cultural context of South Korea, focusing on how societal norms and values influence the expression and processing of trauma through digital platforms.

Summary of Methods
This research employs a quantitative content analysis methodology, analyzing datasets from Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Analytical techniques are applied, including sentiment analysis to gauge the emotional tone, topic modeling to identify dominant themes, and temporal analysis to trace the evolution of online discussions. This multifaceted approach enables a comprehensive evaluation of trauma-related discourse, emphasizing the detection of trauma-related keywords, tracking of sentiment shifts over time, and analysis of user interactions. The aim is to delineate the psychological impacts of social media exposure both during and following the traumatic events, thereby understanding how digital interactions shape public trauma and recovery processes.

Key Findings
The analysis reveals a paradoxical role of social media in large-scale disasters. On one hand, the rapid dissemination of distressing content—graphic images, personal testimonies, and sensationalized news—can exacerbate indirect trauma, leading to heightened anxiety, fear, and dissociation among viewers. On the other hand, social media serves as a vital platform for collective mourning, where individuals share grief, find solidarity, and access psychological support. This duality is particularly pronounced in the South Korean context, where social media is deeply integrated into daily life and cultural practices. The findings suggest that the same digital spaces that intensify psychological distress can also foster resilience and recovery, depending on how they are utilized by the community.

Conclusion and Relevance to the Conference Theme
This study aligns with the conference theme, by highlighting the often-overlooked psychological impacts of social media during crises. The research underscores the importance of recognizing both the risks and benefits of digital platforms in trauma and dissociation contexts. For mental health professionals, these findings suggest that social media exposure should be carefully considered when treating individuals affected by large-scale disasters. The study emphasizes the need for culturally sensitive approaches to trauma treatment, particularly in societies with pervasive digital engagement. By making the hidden effects of social media on trauma visible, this research contributes to a nuanced understanding of complex trauma, offering insights for clinical practice and public health strategies in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.