Channel selection and knowledge acquisition during the 2009 Beijing H1N1 flu crisis: a media system dependency theory perspective

Abstract

This study uses secondary data from a four-wave repeated cross-sectional survey to examine communication channel usage patterns and their effects on health knowledge acquisition during the different phases of the 2009 H1N1 crisis in Beijing, China. The results suggest that channel choice, particularly for mobile phone and interpersonal communication, varies as a function of different levels of threat during a crisis. Moreover, social groups like students, retirees, and professionals differed in their channel selection. The study concludes that television users have more H1N1 knowledge than non-users and that in most cases, interpersonal communication does not contribute to knowledge gains. The theoretical implications are discussed at the end.

Keywords::

• H1N1
• knowledge acquisition
• channel selection
• media system dependency
• China

Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate the suggestions made by the anonymous reviewers.

Notes

^1. For a complete description of the sampling procedures, please contact the corresponding author.

^2. Since economic development in Beijing is closely linked to geographical location, this sampling strategy was designed to ensure representation across all geographic locations in Beijing.

^3. The perceived risk scores at the four time points of data collection were 3.81, 3.91, 3.63, and 3.41. This finding confirms that these four data collection time points correspond to the prodromal, outbreak, chronic, and recovery phases of a crisis cycle.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Baijing Hu

Baijing Hu (PhD, Renmin University of China) is an associate professor in the School of Journalism and Communication at Renmin University of China, Beijing. His research interests include public relations, crisis communication, and the philosophy of communication.

Di Zhang

Di Zhang (PhD, Syracuse University) is an assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Communication at Renmin University of China, Beijing. His research interests include organizational-public relationship cultivation strategies, crisis communication, and health communication.