Predictors of expressing and receiving information on social networking sites during MERS-CoV outbreak in South Korea

• Published in: Journal of risk research Vol. 23; no. 7-8; pp. 912 - 927
• Main Authors: Yoo, Woohyun, Choi, Doo-Hun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 02.08.2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Demography; Economic factors; Epidemics; health information; Infectious diseases; Information sharing; MERS-CoV; Middle East respiratory syndrome; Networking; predictor; Psychosocial factors; Respiratory diseases; Risk perception; Self-efficacy; Social interaction; social media; Social networking sites; Social networks; Socioeconomic factors; South Korea
• ISSN: 1366-9877; 1466-4461
• DOI: 10.1080/13669877.2019.1569105

Social networking sites (SNS) are becoming one of the most significant platforms for social interaction and information exchange in epidemics. Nevertheless, relatively little is known about what facilitates or hinders individuals' engagement in information exchange in the event of an infectious disease outbreak. This study examined the effects of potential predictors that might be associated with the expression and reception of information on SNS during the South Korea Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreak. Analysis of an online survey among 1000 adults from the general population of South Korea showed that expressing and receiving MERS-related information were predicted differentially by diverse social-demographic, socio-economic, and psychosocial factors. Among psychosocial characteristics, risk perceptions and self-efficacy interacted with each other to predict the expression and reception of MERS-related information. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.