Zhou Sun|Xin Cheng|Ruilian Zhang|Bingqing Yang
Factors Influencing Rumour Re-Spreading in a Public Health Crisis by the Middle-Aged and Elderly Populations
Hohai University|Hohai University|University of Queensland|Hohai University
due discrimination media literacy middleaged elderly individuals easily reduced marginalized groups identification rumours public health crisis easily spread rumours repeatedly negative impact pandemic prevention social psychology clarify factors influencing behaviours study used questionnaire survey sample 556 individuals china used multiple linear regression analysis variance explore influencing factors coronavirus disease 2019 covid19 pandemic found first covid19 pandemic middleaged elderly adults willingness respread rumours positively related degree believing rumours personal anxiety negatively related rumourdiscrimination ability perception serious consequences rumour spreading second degree believing rumours plays intermediary role willingness respread rumours plays partial mediating role path anxietys influence behaviour suggesting anxious person spread rumour even strong belief rumour third interpersonal communication greater credibility greater willingness respread mass communication suggests importance increasing public knowledge expertise reducing public panic also important implications future design public health policies