Social media amplification of risk perceptions of and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination among older Chinese adults

Abstract

This study aimed to explore whether and how information about COVID-19 vaccines on social media shapes older adults’ perceptions of and attitudes toward vaccinations. The analysis was conducted through the theoretical lens of the social amplification of risk and affect heuristics. A cross-sectional survey of 429 older adults based on a multistage cluster sampling method was conducted in China. Structural equation modeling was applied to examine the effects of information exposure and negative affect on older adults’ risk perceptions and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines. In contrast to the hypotheses, the findings indicated that information exposure had a significant negative effect on risk perceptions of vaccine efficacy. Furthermore, negative affect led to a significantly positive increase in older adults’ risk perceptions of vaccine efficacy and vaccine safety. Attitudes toward vaccination were associated with information exposure and risk perceptions of the efficacy of vaccines. The interaction effect suggested that information exposure moderated the effects of negative affect on the risk perception of vaccine efficacy. This study advances previous research on social media exposure and vaccine-related risk perceptions in the societal context of Mainland China. Based on the findings of this study, government agencies and media managers should apply appropriate strategies to promote COVID-19 vaccination among older Chinese adults.

Keywords:

• Coronavirus disease
• affect heuristic
• information exposure
• vaccine risk perception
• vaccination intent

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the National Social Science Fund of China (Grant No. 22CXW025).

Notes on contributors

Jinhui Li

Jinhui Li is a professor at the School of Journalism and Communication, Jinan University, P. R. China. His research interests focus on the use and impact of new media technology and health communication.

Li Li

Li Li is an associate professor at the School of Journalism at Yunnan University, P. R. China. Her research interests span the areas of the uses and impacts of new media technology and health communication.

Taoran Liu

Taoran Liu is a postgraduate student in the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, P. R. China.

Wai-kit Ming

Wai-kit Ming is an associate professor in the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, P. R. China. His research interests mainly focus on artificial intelligence, clinical research, and health economics.

Shihan Meng

Shihan Meng is a student at ULink College Guangzhou, P.R. China. Her research interests focus on human communication and social impact.