Differences in comprehending and acting on pandemic health risk information: a qualitative study using mental models.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A worldwide pandemic of a new and unknown virus is characterised by scientific uncertainty. However, despite this uncertainty, health authorities must still communicate complex health risk information to the public. The mental models approach to risk communication describes how people perceive and make decisions about complex risks, with the aim of identifying decision-relevant information that can be incorporated into risk communication interventions. This study explored how people use mental models to make sense of scientific information and apply it to their lives and behaviour in the context of COVID-19.

Methods

This qualitative study enrolled 15 male and female participants of different ages, with different levels of education and occupational backgrounds and

SUBMITTER: Berg SH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9334540 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature