From Information Exposure to Protective Behaviors: Investigating the Underlying Mechanism in COVID-19 Outbreak Using Social Amplification Theory and Extended Parallel Process Model

Abstract

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.

The Threat of COVID-19 and Job Insecurity Impact on Depression and Anxiety: An Empirical Study in the USA

“…Furthermore, when employee perception of threat severity is diminished, their anxiety levels are bound to be lesser. Zhao and Wu ( 2021 ) found that in such cases, employees rather rely on their social networks for intel, and clues they get may be biased, censored, incorrect, or filtered. Accordingly, in line with the study of Zhao and Wu ( 2021 ) on the mediation effect of EPPM, we, too, have failed to establish a meaningful mediation effect of job insecurity between COVID-19 risk perception and anxiety and depression of employees.…”

“…Zhao and Wu ( 2021 ) found that in such cases, employees rather rely on their social networks for intel, and clues they get may be biased, censored, incorrect, or filtered. Accordingly, in line with the study of Zhao and Wu ( 2021 ) on the mediation effect of EPPM, we, too, have failed to establish a meaningful mediation effect of job insecurity between COVID-19 risk perception and anxiety and depression of employees. At the onset of an emergency, marked by a high level of uncertainty, fear may not be the prevailing emotion, as alternative instances of worry, sadness, stress, and depression cannot be precluded and are potentially more significant (Kleinberg et al, 2020 ; Zhang et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Social identities were shaken, and group affiliations broke, leaving people dealing solely with dark chronicles and depressing thoughts. In adopting a defensive response, people will base the judgment according to information gathered through official sources and personal social network channels (Zhao and Wu, 2021 ). Appraisals and facts concerning threat severity and available resource to form an effective coping system will function either in support of or against the implementation of mental health interventions, as they can be perceived as valuable or ineffectual (Pollock et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Alternatively, the howling fear and anticipation may become so exhaustive that they paralyze the individual, rendering one temporarily incapacitated for work, thus increasing one's chance to lose a job. Excessive fear of threat makes the threat seem imminent (Cole et al, 2013 ; Zhao and Wu, 2021 ). The foundation of a healthy economy is a healthy workforce, yet stressing over the recession, budgetary cutback, salary reduction, and making drastic economic sacrifices to combat the virus induces profound anxiety.…”

“…The coronavirus is unique, as it encompasses the cumulative disruption of all well-being-related aspects—social, physiological, psychological, and monetary. As the emergent situation is relatively new, there is a clear lack of indication on how to proceed best with prospective workplace prevention and protection (Zhao and Wu, 2021 ). This study provides a preliminary exploration of potential key antecedents of mental resilience of employees and risk factors for the occurrence of mental disorders under prolonged stress exposure.…”