Cognitive and emotional dimensions of perceived risk characteristics, genre-specific media effects, and risk perceptions: the case of H1N1 influenza in South Korea

The impact of social media on risk perceptions during the MERS outbreak in South Korea

“…During the emerging infectious diseases outbreak, media use for effective risk communication strategies is important for public safety (Oh et al, 2015). In recent years, social media seem to play an important role in accessing (and disseminating) risk information and shaping the public's risk perceptions of the public health issues such as a disease outbreak.…”

“…Susceptibility reflects one's perception of the likelihood of contracting a disease, whereas severity refers to one's perception of the seriousness or harmfulness of a disease (El-Toukhy, 2015;Rimal & Real, 2003). In particular, when people perceive health-related risks, they not only rely on the cognitive aspects of the likelihood and severity of a healthrelated disease, but also use affective aspects of the worry, concern, or dread that a person feels about a health-related disease (e.g., Freimuth & Hovick, 2012;Oh, Paek, & Hove, 2015).…”

“…When a public health issue occurs, people tend to perceive risks (e.g., Bish & Michie, 2010;Pask & Rawlins, 2016). The occurrence of emerging infectious diseases, which is not anticipated in a specific time or area, such as MERS or H1N1 flu, can lead to the public's immediate risk perception (Oh et al, 2015;Reynolds & Seeger, 2005). Thus, understanding the public's risk perception can help manage public health issues and help them escape from it during an outbreak.…”

The Effects of Social Media Use on Preventive Behaviors during Infectious Disease Outbreaks: The Mediating Role of Self-relevant Emotions and Public Risk Perception

“…Mass media have long been considered to be vital shapers of the public's risk perceptions (Snyder & Rouse, 1995). Particularly when individuals do not have first-hand experience or knowledge of a health hazard, for instance, during an infectious disease outbreak, they are more likely to rely on mass media to learn about the hazards (Oh et al, 2015). Previous literature has demonstrated that the media can substantially influence public perceptions of risk issues such as H1N1 flu (Oh et al, 2015), Avian flu (Fung, Namkoong, & Brossard, 2011), or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (Paek, Oh, & Hove, 2016).…”

“…In recent years, a series of infectious disease outbreaks such as Ebola, Zika, influenza, and Dengue fever around the world have shed light on the significance of effective communication strategies regarding such diseases (Parmer et al, 2016). An outbreak of infectious disease is the occurrence of a disease that is not usually anticipated in a particular community, geographical region, or time period (Oh, Paek, & Hove, 2015). Typically, an emerging infectious disease involves rapid spreading, threatening the health of large numbers of people, and thus requires urgent action to stop the disease at the community level (Wurz, Nurn, & Ekdahl, 2013).…”