Flattening the COVID-19 curve: Emotions mediate the effects of a persuasive message on preventive action.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Across four countries (Canada, USA, UK, and Italy), we explored the effects of persuasive messages on intended and actual preventive actions related to COVID-19, and the role of emotions as a potential mechanism for explaining these effects.

Methods

One thousand seventy-eight participants first reported their level of concern and emotions about COVID-19 and then received a positive persuasive text, negative persuasive text, or no text. After reading, participants reported their emotions about the pandemic and their willingness to take preventive action. One week following, the same participants reported the frequency with which they engaged in preventive action and behaviors that increased the risk of contracting COVID-19.

Results

Results revealed that th

SUBMITTER: Muis KR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9751357 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature