COVID 19 Information Seeking on Digital Media and Preventive Behaviors: The Mediation Role of Worry
The high prevalence of novel coronavirus disease (COVID 19) and inefficient preventive measures taken to curb the disease are significant public health concerns. Rapid and innovative advances in digital media offer opportunities for health education, which could result in increased preventive behaviors. This study assessed preventive behaviors against contracting COVID 19 and tested mediation pathways linking four types of digital media consumption (social media, mobile social networking apps [MSNs] online news media, and social live steaming services [SLSSs] to preventive behaviors, mediated by worry. Results from an online survey (N 511) revealed that the vast majority >90 percent) of respondents had very often or always practiced preventive behaviors against contracting COVID 19 such as washing their hands more regularly with soap and water, staying away from crowded places, and wearing face masks out in public. In addition, COVID 19 information seeking through the four types of digital media was a salient parameter that encouraged people to practice preventive behaviors either directly or indirectly. Specifically, seeking COVID 19 related information on MSNs, SLSSs, and online news media was directly associated with preventive behaviors. Whereas COVID 19 information consumption on social media, MSNs, and SLSSs during the infectious disease outbreak could elicit intense worry and, in turn, increase preventive behaviors. The reasons for and implications of the results are discussed.
Cyberpsychology Behav. Soc. Netw.