Journal
TELEMATICS AND INFORMATICS
Volume 58, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.tele.2020.101547
Keywords
Misinformation; COVID-19; Social media; Discussion heterogeneity; Worry; Faith in scientists
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This study explored the impact of social media use and discussion heterogeneity preference on COVID-19-related misinformation beliefs through a national survey in the United States. Results indicated that social media use was positively associated with misinformation beliefs, while discussion heterogeneity preference was negatively associated. Furthermore, worry of COVID-19 was found to be a significant mediator and faith in scientists served as a moderator that mitigated the indirect effect of discussion heterogeneity preference on misinformation beliefs.
With the circulation of misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization has raised concerns about an infodemic, which exacerbates people's misperceptions and deters preventive measures. Against this backdrop, this study examined the conditional indirect effect of social media use and discussion heterogeneity preference on COVID-19-related misinformation beliefs in the United States, using a national survey. Findings suggested that social media use was positively associated with misinformation beliefs, while discussion heterogeneity preference was negatively associated with misinformation beliefs. Furthermore, worry of COVID-19 was found to be a significant mediator as both associations became more significant when mediated through worry. In addition, faith in scientists served as a moderator that mitigated the indirect effect of discussion heterogeneity preference on misinformation beliefs. That is, among those who had stronger faiths in scientists, the indirect effect of discussion heterogeneity preference on misinformation belief became more negative. The findings revealed communication and psychological factors associated with COVID-19-related misinformation beliefs and provided insights into coping strategies during the pandemic.
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