From Incidental Exposure to COVID-19 Coping: The Influence of Expression and Perceived Networks on Social Media and Messaging Apps

Research has established the important role of incidental exposure in facilitating political learning, participation, as well as attitude polarization. Extending this line of work to public health crisis contexts, this study examines how pro-attitudinal and counter-attitudinal incidental exposures predict individuals' expressive behaviors on social media and messaging apps (e.g. WhatsApp and LINE), and the subsequent coping outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysis of an online survey in Taiwan showed that incidental exposure was related to expressive behaviors on social media and LINE, which in turn predicted coping outcomes, regardless of whether the information affirmed or undermined individuals' opinions. However, the relationships between pro-attitudinal but not counter-attitudinal incidental exposure and expressive behaviors varied by perceived network homogeneity both on social media and LINE.

Automated summary

This study examines the impact of incidental exposure on expressive behaviors on social media and messaging apps during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggest that incidental exposure predicts individuals' expressive behaviors and coping outcomes, regardless of whether the information affirms or undermines their opinions. However, the relationship between pro-attitudinal incidental exposure and expressive behaviors varied depending on the perceived network homogeneity on social media and messaging apps.