TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of Exposure to COVID-19 News and Information
T2 - A Meta-Analysis of Media Use and Uncertainty-Related Responses During the Pandemic
AU - Chu, Tsz Hang
AU - Yeo, Tien Ee Dominic
AU - Su, Youzhen
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 AEJMC.
PY - 2022/3/1
Y1 - 2022/3/1
N2 - This meta-analysis integrates 47 empirical studies, comprising 89,826 participants from 21 countries, to examine the cumulative effects and potential moderators of exposure to COVID-19 news and information on attendant emotions, appraisals, and behaviors. Overall media exposure indicated only small positive effect sizes on adverse psychological reactions, though it was moderately and positively associated with disease concern and preventive measures. Social media exposure was associated with all these responses, but traditional news media exposure was only associated with disease concern. The associations between overall media exposure and adverse psychological reactions were moderated by COVID-19 experience, healthcare profession, and country type.
AB - This meta-analysis integrates 47 empirical studies, comprising 89,826 participants from 21 countries, to examine the cumulative effects and potential moderators of exposure to COVID-19 news and information on attendant emotions, appraisals, and behaviors. Overall media exposure indicated only small positive effect sizes on adverse psychological reactions, though it was moderately and positively associated with disease concern and preventive measures. Social media exposure was associated with all these responses, but traditional news media exposure was only associated with disease concern. The associations between overall media exposure and adverse psychological reactions were moderated by COVID-19 experience, healthcare profession, and country type.
KW - media exposure
KW - meta-analysis
KW - psychological distress
KW - public health crisis
KW - uncertainty management
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85122301990&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/10776990211068857
DO - 10.1177/10776990211068857
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:85122301990
SN - 1077-6990
VL - 99
SP - 89
EP - 112
JO - Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly
JF - Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly
IS - 1
ER -
