Are Fear Campaigns Effective for Increasing Adherence to COVID-Related Mitigation Measures?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Using fear to increase the uptake of preventative health behaviours is a longstanding practice, which could be useful in mitigating the spread of COVID-19. However, the impact of fear campaigns beyond behavioural outcomes has rarely been considered. It is possible that these threatening health messages could heighten health-related anxiety by inducing a tendency to interpret ambiguous stimuli in a threatening manner. This research aimed to evaluate the effects of fear-based articles about COVID-19, on intentions to adhere to mitigation measures and interpretation bias-a core maintenance factor in health anxiety.

Method

Two pilot studies were conducted with the aim of validating our novel COVID-related measures and assessing engagement with the threat manipulation.

SUBMITTER: Richmond B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9628502 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature