scholarly journals Listen to the Scientists: Effects of exposure to scientists and general media consumption on cognitive, affective and behavioral mechanisms during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica M. Szczuka ◽  
Judith Meinert ◽  
Nicole Krämer

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, in an unprecedented amount, scientists around the globe engaged in science communication to provide first-hand epidemiological knowledge and information on preventive measures. Based on the extended parallel process model, the present work aimed to empirically investigate (N = 698) the impact of direct exposure to scientists in comparison to a general COVID-19 related media consumption. The results revealed that direct exposure to scientists positively affected recipients´ knowledge and self-efficacy. General media consumption on the other hand, positively affected perceived threat as well as fear and uncertainty. Both sources positively affected the adherence to protective measures.

Stroke ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 40 (12) ◽  
pp. 3857-3863 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen M. Davis ◽  
Diana Martinelli ◽  
Brian Braxton ◽  
Kyle Kutrovac ◽  
Todd Crocco

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingwen Yang ◽  
Xue Wu ◽  
Kyoshiro Sasaki ◽  
Yuki Yamada

When people are confronted with health proposals during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it has been suggested that fear of COVID-19 can serve protective functions and ensure public health compliance. However, health proposal repetition and its perceived efficacy also influence the behavior intention toward the proposal, which has not yet been confirmed in the COVID-19 context. The present study examined whether the extended parallel process model (EPPM) could be generalized to a naturalistic context like the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, we explored how repetition of a health proposal is involved with the EPPM. In this study, two groups of participants were exposed to the same health proposal related to COVID-19, where one group was exposed once and another group twice. They then filled out a questionnaire consisting of items concerning behavior intention and adapted from the Risk Behavior Diagnosis Scale. Structural equation modeling was used to determine the multivariate associations between the variables. Although the results showed that behavior intention is predicted by perceived efficacy, no significant influence of perceived threat was detected. Furthermore, no significant effect of repetition was found toward either response efficacy or perceived susceptibility. These findings indicate that to promote health compliance during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more efficient to focus on the perceived efficacy of effective health proposals rather than on the perceived threat of the disease. For future health communication research, the present study suggests improved methods for analysis strategies and repeated manipulation of messages.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aymery Constant ◽  
Donaldson ◽  
Karine Gallopel-Morvan ◽  
Jocelyn Raude

Background: A better understanding of the factors underlying their acceptance may contribute greatly to the design of more effective public health programs during the current and future pandemics. The objectives of the present study were to assess their acceptance after populations experienced their negative effects, and their relationships with COVID-19 perceptions.Methods: Data were collected from 2004 individuals through an online survey conducted 6 to 8 weeks after the first lockdown in France. Participants were asked whether they supported eight COVID-19 preventive measures. COVID-19-related perceptions were also assessed using an adapted version of Witte’s Extended Parallel Process Model, together with sociodemographic and environmental variables.Results: Acceptance rate reached 86.1 % for individual protective measures, such as make mask mandatory in public open space, and 70.0% for collective restrictions, such as isolating the most vulnerable people (80%) or forbidding public gatherings (79.3%). The least popular restrictions were closing all schools/universities and non-essential commerce such as bars and restaurants (57.2%). Acceptance of collective restrictions was positively associated with their perceived efficacy, fear, and perceived severity of COVID-19, and negatively with age older than 60 years. Acceptance of individual protective measures was associated with their perceived efficacy, fear, and perceived severity of COVID-19.Discussion: Acceptance rates of COVID-19 preventive measures were rather high, but varied according to their perceived social cost, and were more related to collective than personal protection. Preventive measures that minimize social costs while controlling the spread of the disease are more likely to be accepted during pandemics.


2020 ◽  
pp. 096366252096616
Author(s):  
Alex Williams Kirkpatrick

The spread of science misinformation harms efforts to mitigate threats like climate change or coronavirus. Construal-level theory suggests that mediated messages can prime psychological proximity to threats, having consequences for behavior. Via two MTurk experiments, I tested a serial mediation process model predicting misinformation sharing from lexical concreteness, through psychological proximity and perceived threat. In Study 1, concrete misinformation primed psychological proximity which, in turn, increased perceived threat. Perceived threat then increased the likelihood that misinformation would be shared. Source credibility was also shown to positively influence misinformation sharing. Study 2 advanced this by showing this process was moderated by subjective knowledge. Specifically, the effect of perceived threat on misinformation sharing was stronger for those with higher subjective knowledge. Furthermore, the indirect effect of lexical concreteness on misinformation sharing was stronger for those with higher subjective knowledge. Results and limitations are discussed within the lens of construal-level theory and science communication.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Betty Carlson Bowles

Lactation consultants (LC) often use fear appeals when providing anticipatory guidance to mothers about breastfeeding. We mention that improper positioning or latch-on can lead to sore nipples or fissures, or that inadequate or irregular emptying can lead to plugged ducts, mastitis, or a diminished milk supply. Instead of motivating the mother to practice the recommended preventive measures, fear appeals can lead to lack of confidence and fear of failure. Instead, lactation consultants can increase the mother’s confidence in her ability to breastfeed by helping her envision success, manage self-defeating thoughts, and solve problems. This article explores how the Extended Parallel Process Model can be applied to lactation consultation to increase the probability that the lactation consultant’s message will be heeded rather than rejected.


PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11559
Author(s):  
Jingwen Yang ◽  
Xue Wu ◽  
Kyoshiro Sasaki ◽  
Yuki Yamada

When people are confronted with health proposals during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it has been suggested that fear of COVID-19 can serve protective functions and ensure public health compliance. However, health proposal repetition and its perceived efficacy also influence the behavior intention toward the proposal, which has not yet been confirmed in the COVID-19 context. The present study examined whether the extended parallel process model (EPPM) could be generalized to a naturalistic context like the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, we explored how repetition of a health proposal is involved with the EPPM. In this study, two groups of participants were exposed to the same health proposal related to COVID-19, where one group was exposed once and another group twice. Participants then filled out a questionnaire consisting of items concerning behavior intention and adapted from the Risk Behavior Diagnosis Scale. Structural equation modeling was used to determine the multivariate associations between the variables. Although the results showed that behavior intention is predicted by perceived efficacy, no significant influence of perceived threat was detected. Furthermore, no significant effect of repetition was found toward either response efficacy or perceived susceptibility. These findings indicate that to promote health compliance during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more efficient to focus on health proposals’ perceived efficacy rather than the disease’s perceived threat. For future health communication research, the present study suggests improved analysis strategies and repeated manipulation of messages.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liang Chen ◽  
Xiaodong Yang ◽  
Lunrui Fu ◽  
Xiaoming Liu ◽  
Congyi Yuan

BACKGROUND With the rise of mobile technology, an increasing number of people use mobile-based social media to access health information. Many scholars have explored the nature of health information on social media; however, the impact of such information on people was understudied. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the nature and impact of health information on mobile-based social media. Specifically, we investigated how the levels of threat and efficacy of breast cancer prevention information affect individuals’ engagement with the information, such as readings and likes. METHODS Breast cancer prevention articles posted on a Chinese mobile-based social media platform (ie, WeChat Subscription Account [WeChat SA]) from January 1 to December 31, 2017, were extracted using the Python Web Crawler. We used content analysis and analysis of covariance to analyze our data. RESULTS The results revealed that the vast majority of titles and main bodies of the articles involved one of the extended parallel process model components: threat or efficacy. CONCLUSIONS Breast cancer prevention information on WeChat SA was well designed. Both threat and efficacy significantly affected the number of readings, whereas only efficacy had a significant effect on the number of likes. Moreover, breast cancer prevention information that contained both high levels of threat and efficacy gained the largest number of readings and likes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuguang Zhao ◽  
Xuan Wu

Ever since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), people have been flooded with vast amounts of information related to the virus and its social consequences. This paper draws on social amplification theory and the extended parallel process model (EPPM) and assesses the following: (a) how two amplification stations—news media and peoples’ personal networks—influence the risk-related perceptions of people (perceived efficacy and perceived threat) and (b) how these risk-related perceptions impact people’s health-protective behaviors. This study surveyed 1,946 participants. The results indicate that peoples’ exposure to news media significantly and positively predicted both perceived efficacy and perceived threat. It also shows that peoples’ exposure to risk-related information through their personal networks negatively predicted their perceived efficacy, but it positively predicted their perceived threat. The mediating effect of fear was examined, and the result was contradictory to the EPPM. In short, this study reveals the underlying mechanism of individuals’ exposure to risk information, processing, and precautionary measures.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Sinead Moylett ◽  
David Hevey

Background: Previous research has raised a number of questions about the core propositions of the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM). Very few previous examinations of the model have included qualitative assessments. Methods: The current study utilised a mixed method approach to experimental test EPPM-based threat-to-efficacy ratios in health risk messages about CVD and the associated health behaviours among older adults (60+ years) who would be at an alleviated risk of CVD. The current focus is on the qualitative aspect of this assessment and utilised a think aloud methodology in order to gain greater insight into participants’ thinking and problem-solving processes when presented with EPPM-based communications about cardiovascular disease (CVD). 24 participants (4 per group; Female = 14; Age, M = 74.38, SD = 7.16) were randomly assigned to one of six EPPM threat-to-efficacy ratio CVD message groups. Results: A thematic analysis was conducted, and the important themes were those of different threat perceptions for varying CVD manifestations (heart disease versus stroke), and the role of comparative (versus personal) threat and efficacy perceptions for all participants. The difference between threat appraisals for stroke versus other CVD manifestations was a novel finding. Conclusions: For the EPPM and other theories of health risk and decision-making, the impact of comparative risk and social examples for individual threat and efficacy perceptions needs to be counted.


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