Understanding Reactions to Emotional Material in the Media During COVID-19

2 self-rated items measuring the level of distress and vividness associated with the intrusions related to the trauma film (11-point scales from 0 to 10) rated within the diary. High scores indicate higher level of distress/vividness.

1 self-rated item measuring the frequency of intrusive/unwanted memories of the trauma film in the previous week on a 7-point scale (from "never" to "many times a day", with a follow-up question to specify the number if necessary). Unless the answer to item 1 is "never", 5 self-rated items measuring the characteristics of intrusive/unwanted memories in the previous week. The level of distress, nowness, reliving, disconnectedness and whether different triggers are associated with the intrusive/unwanted memories of the trauma film are measured on a 101-point scale (from 0 to 100). Higher scores indicate more intrusive/unwanted memories, higher levels of distress/nowness/reliving/disconnectedness and a greater number of different triggers.

Self-report measure that assesses subjective distress after a traumatic event (with reference to the trauma film). Here we include the intrusion subscale (8 items). Items are rated on a 5-point scale ranging from 0 ("not at all") to 4 ("extremely"). Items are summed (subscale score ranges from 0 to 32). Higher scores indicate worse outcome.

A single bespoke item on impact on daily functioning associated with the intrusions from the trauma film rated on a 11-point scale (from 0 "none"; 5 "some"; 10 "extreme"). Higher scores indicate higher level of functional impairment.

A single bespoke item measuring the level of concentration disruption associated with the intrusions from the trauma film (11 point scale from 0 to 10). High scores indicate higher level of concentration disruption.

Two self rated items: Item 1 measures the extent of being troubled by poor sleep (with reference to study event) on a 5-point scale (from not at all to very much), and item 2 measures the number of nights in the week with sleep problems on a 5-point scale (from 0-1 to 5-7 nights). Each 5-point scale is reverse scored (4 - 0) then summed. Possible total scores range from 0 - 8, with higher values indicative of better sleep.

7 bespoke self-report items assessing how much the trauma film affected related safety and avoidance behaviors from 0 (not at all) to 100 (extremely) (e.g. "I took greater care to keep a distance in public places"). A free text response field for other behaviors that were affected by the trauma film.

In the Intrusion Provocation Task (IPT), participants are presented with neutral still images from the trauma film. Immediately afterwards for the next two minutes, they are allowed to think freely and report intrusions by pressing a button. The IPT intrusion score is calculated by the total frequency of intrusions (i.e. number of button presses), whilst higher values represent more intrusions.

The verbal recognition memory test comprises a number of true/false written statements relating to the trauma film. Participants indicate true or false as to whether or not the written statement about the film they watched 7 days earlier is correct. The score is the sum of correct responses, a higher score indicating better verbal recognition memory of the trauma film.

The visual recognition memory test consists of static visual images - some are taken from throughout the film (different images from those used in the IPT), and some are unviewed images presented as filler. Images are presented individually and participants are instructed to view each image for 5 s. Participants indicate yes or no as to whether or not they recognize the image as being from the trauma film they watched 7 days earlier. The score is the sum of correct responses, a higher score indicating better visual recognition memory of the trauma film.

8 self-report items (5-point scale from 1 to 5) measuring time perspective on three subscales: past perspective (items 3, 5, 7), present perspective (items 1, 8) and future perspective (items 2, 4, 6). Item scores for each subscale will be summed. Higher values indicate higher levels of past/present/future time perspective.

Three free text response fields asking to imagine a future self identity in relation to social/occupational/other important situations. A single item measuring which of these future identities has been most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Then a free text response field to describe a mental image of this identity, 4 items measuring vividness (1 "not vivid at all", 10 "very vivid"), positivity (1 "very negative", 10 "very positive"), regularity of rehearsal (1 "never", 10 "very regularly"), and likelihood (1 "not at all likely", 10 "very likely") of that image on a 10-point scale. 3 items measuring the perspective of viewing that mental image ("through own eyes" or "as if seeing oneself"), whether other people are in the image (if yes, how many), and how old one will be in the image. All items are answered in terms of how the image was before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Free text response field asking how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the future identity image.

Self-report measure that assesses expectancies about positive future life events. 10 items are rated regarding how likely it is that the event will happen in one's future on a 7-point scale ranging from 1 ("not at all likely") to 7 ("extremely likely"). Items are summed. Higher scores indicate more optimistic/positive future expectancies.