Relationship Between Psychological Responses and the Appraisal of Risk Communication During the Early Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Two-Wave Study of Community Residents in China

• DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.550220
• Publication Date: 2020-09-30T07:34:17Z
• Authors: Zheng Jin; Kai-bin Zhao; Yan-yu Xia; Rui-jun Chen; Huan Yu; Timothy Tamunang ...; Zheng Yuan; Yi-Ming Shi; Hanna Yeshinegus ...; Marina Kogay; Gyun Yeol Park
• Keywords: Pandemic; Risk Perception; Affect; Risk Communication; Emotional contagion

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has infected more than 1,000,000 people in at least 120 countries. Data collection the ascending phase is crucial to deal with a rapidly evolving crisis by understanding uncertain relation between risk communication and psychological responses. were collected from 26th Jan 2020 (at which time 30 Provinces launched first level response major public health emergencies China) until 17th February (1,775 deaths 71,429 confirmed cases worldwide) mean test-retest interval of 16 days (SD = .82). A cluster sample 846 adults four residential communities high-risk area (Wuhan) low areas (Zhengzhou) invited complete set Internet-based questionnaires measuring adoption preventive behaviors, evaluation communication, anxiety susceptibility emotional contagion. Results cross-lagged models demonstrated reciprocal negative associations communication. In addition, higher initial period outbreak improved behaviors mitigated contagion later period. Susceptibility also positively predicted taken. Furthermore, multiple group structural equation modeling revealed that likely affect on frontline compared living areas. This study provided some longitudinal evidence regarding mental during COVID-19 outbreak, importance information campaigns aimed encouraging appropriate countermeasures against virus outbreaks.