Your browser does not support the PubReader view.
Go to this page to see a list of supporting browsers.
The Korean Society for Journalism & Communication (KSJCS)
[ Article ]
Korean Journal of Journalism & Communication Studies - Vol. 68, No. 4, pp.5-30
ISSN: 2586-7369 (Online)
Print publication date 31 Aug 2024
Received 01 Jun 2024 Accepted 30 Jul 2024 Revised 31 Jul 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.20879/kjjcs.2024.68.4.001

팬데믹 기간 코로나19 관련 허위정보는 어떻게 건강을 위협하는가? : 패널데이터 분석결과를 중심으로

장경은*** ; 백영민****
***연세대학교 커뮤니케이션연구소 전문연구원 katejjang@gmail.com
****연세대학교 언론홍보영상학부 교수 ymbaek@yonsei.ac.kr
How Does COVID-19 Misinformation Endanger Public Health During the Pandemic? : Insights from Panel Data Analysis
Kyungeun Jang*** ; Young Min Baek****
***Researcher, Institute for Communication Research, Yonsei University katejjang@gmail.com
****Professor, Department of Communication, Yonsei University ymbaek@yonsei.ac.kr

초록

본 연구는 한국의 코로나19 팬데믹 맥락에서 유통된 허위정보에 대한 신뢰가 백신효능성 및 방역수칙 준수 인식을 통해 코로나19 감염가능성에 영향을 미치는 매개효과를 검증하였다. 2022년에 수집한 반복측정 패널 데이터(N = 516)를 분석한 결과, 총 14종에 달하는 허위정보에 대한 전반적인 신뢰 수준이 높아질수록 백신효능성을 부정적으로 인식하고 방역수칙 준수 수준이 감소하는 양상이 발견되었다. 또한, 백신효능성 인식 및 방역수칙 준수 수준이 낮을수록 감염가능성은 높아지는 관계가 나타났다. 허위정보 신뢰와 감염가능성의 관계는 백신효능성 인식과 방역수칙 준수를 통해 나타나는 매개효과가 발견되었다. 공중보건 위기상황에서 허위정보에 대한 신뢰가 발생시키는 효과에 대한 이론적, 실무적 함의점을 논의하였다.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic presented a dual crisis worldwide, caused not only by the virus but also by the rapid spread of misinformation. The present study investigates the impact of misinformation on public health by examining how trust in COVID-19-related misinformation affects perceptions of vaccine efficacy, adherence to preventative measures, and ultimately, the likelihood of infection in South Korea. In the pandemic context, a volume of research has shown that trust in misinformation (e.g., COVID-19 is intentionally spread, death tolls are exaggerated, or vaccines are ineffective) contributes to psychological distress, decreased adherence to prevention measures, and increased health risks. Despite extensive research on the detrimental consequences of misinformation during the pandemic, there has been limited investigation on how misinformation influences the likelihood of infection. The present study aims to fill this gap by exploring the indirect effects of trust in COVID-19-related misinformation on the likelihood of infection via perceived vaccine efficacy and adherence to preventative measures.

The theoretical framework for the present research is based on the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM), which posits that effective risk communication increases both perceived threat and efficacy, promoting preventive behavior. In contrast, misinformation hinders factual perceptions of risk and response efficacy, leading to ineffective threat management and decreased adherence to prevention measures. Specifically, the present study hypothesizes that higher trust in COVID-19-related misinformation leads to lower perceived vaccine efficacy, reduced adherence to preventive measures, and increased likelihood of COVID-19 infection. Additionally, the present study posits the relationship between trust in COVID-19-related misinformation and the likelihood of infection is mediated by perceived vaccine efficacy and adherence to prevention measures.

Analyzing longitudinal panel survey data collected in 2022 (N = 516), this study found individuals with higher trust in COVID-19-related misinformation were more likely to deny the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and less likely to adhere to COVID-19 prevention measures, which resulted in an increased likelihood of COVID-19 infection. Bootstrapping tests confirmed that the indirect effects of misinformation trust on the likelihood of COVID-19 infection via perceived vaccine efficacy and adherence to prevention measures were statistically significant. The findings of the present study clearly demonstrate the negative consequences of misinformation on individual and public health outcomes, thereby highlighting the importance of combating misinformation to enhance public health responses. In particular, the present study proposes two approaches to managing misinformation in the pandemic context: (1) developing individuals' ability to critically digest information, and (2) limiting the environment in which misinformation is transmitted. These implications for both academic research and practical interventions will contribute to enhancing public health resilience against misinformation during public health crises.

Keywords:

COVID-19, Misinformation, Perceived Vaccine Efficacy, Adherence to Prevention Measures, COVID-19 Infection

키워드:

코로나19, 허위정보, 백신효능, 방역수칙준수, 코로나19 바이러스 감염

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea and the National Research Foundation of Korea(이 논문은 2021년 대한민국 교육부와 한국연구재단의 지원을 받아 수행된 연구입니다)[NRF2021S1A3A2A02090597].

e would like to thank three reviewers for their thoughtful comments and efforts towards improving our manuscript(논문심사 과정에서 유익한 조언을 해주신 세 분의 심사위원님들께 감사드립니다).

References

  • Barua, Z., Barua, S., Aktar, S., Kabir, N., & Li, M. (2020). Effects of misinformation on COVID-19 individual responses and recommendations for resilience of disastrous consequences of misinformation. Progress in Disaster Science, 8, 100-119. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdisas.2020.100119]
  • Brennen, J. S., Simon, F. M., & Nielsen, R. K. (2021). Beyond (mis)representation: Visuals in COVID-19 misinformation. The International Journal of Press/Politics, 26(1), 277-299. [https://doi.org/10.1177/1940161220964780]
  • Bridgman, A., Merkley, E., Loewen, P. J., Owen, T., Ruths, D., Teichmann, L., & Zhilin, O. (2020). The causes and consequences of COVID-19 misperceptions: Understanding the role of news and social media. Harvard Kennedy School Misinformation Review, 1(3). [https://doi.org/10.37016/mr-2020-028]
  • Caceres, M. M. F., Sosa, J. P., Lawrence, J. A., Sestacovschi, C., Tidd-Johnson, A., Rasool, M. H. U., ... & Cuevas-Lou, C. (2022). The impact of misinformation on the COVID-19 pandemic. AIMS Public Health, 9(2), 262-277. [https://doi.org/10.3934/publichealth.2022018]
  • Chung, M., & Jones-Jang, S. M. (2022). Red media, blue media, trump briefings, and COVID-19: Examining how information sources predict risk preventive behaviors via threat and efficacy. Health Communication, 37(14), 1707–1714. [https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2021.1914386]
  • Del Vicario, M., Bessi, A., Zollo, F., Petroni, F., Scala, A., Caldarelli, G., ... & Quattrociocchi, W. (2016). The spreading of misinformation online. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 113(3), 554-559. [https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1517441113]
  • Domosławska-Żylińska, K., Krysińska-Pisarek, M., Czabanowska, K., & Sesa, G. (2022). Vaccinated and unvaccinated risk perceptions and motivations for COVID-19 preventive measures based on EPPM—A polish qualitative pilot study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(20), 13473. Retrieved 8/3/24 from https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/20/13473 [https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013473]
  • Enders, A. M., Uscinski, J. E., Klofstad, C., & Stoler, J. (2020). The different forms of COVID-19 misinformation and their consequences. The Harvard Kennedy School Misinformation Review, 1(8). [https://doi.org/10.37016/mr-2020-48]
  • Eysenbach, G. (2020). How to fight an infodemic: The four pillars of infodemic management. Journal of Medicine Internet Research, 22(6), e21820. [https://doi.org/10.2196/21820]
  • Gallotti, R., Valle, F., Castaldo, N., Sacco, P., & De Domenico, M. (2020). Assessing the risks of ‘infodemics’ in response to COVID-19 epidemics. Nature Human Behaviour, 4(12), 1285-1293. [https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-020-00994-6]
  • Greene, C. M., & Murphy, G. (2021). Quantifying the effects of fake news on behavior: Evidence from a study of COVID-19 misinformation. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 27(4), 773-784. [https://doi.org/10.1037/xap0000371]
  • Han, J., & Kim, Y. (2023). The Effects of the direction and intensity of comments for COVID-19-related fake news ccceptance: Focusing on the mediating effect of systematic information processing and the moderating effect of the conformity level. Korean Journal of Journalism & Communication Studies, 67(1), 230-271. [ https://doi.org/10.20879/kjjcs.2023.67.1.006 ]
    한지원‧김영욱 (2023). 댓글의 방향과 강도가 코로나19 관련 가짜뉴스 수용에 미치는 영향: 체계적 정보처리의 매개효과 및 동조성향의 조절효과 중심 분석. <한국언론학보>, 67권 1호, 230-271.
  • Hong, J.-H., Seol, J., & Lee, J.-I. (2021). Diffusion of disinformation on the YouTube network about Chinese COVID-19: Based on influential spreaders and types of information. Journal of the Korea Contents Association, 21(2), 652-666. [ https://doi.org/10.5392/JKCA.2021.21.02.652 ]
    홍주현‧설진아‧이종임 (2021). 유튜브 채널에서 코로나19 중국 관련 허위정보 확산에 관한 연구: 확산주체와 정보유형 분석을 중심으로. <한국콘텐츠학회논문지>, 21권 2호, 652-666.
  • Hornik, R., Kikut, A., Jesch, E., Woko, C., Siegel, L., & Kim, K. (2021). Association of COVID-19 misinformation with face mask wearing and social distancing in a nationally representative US sample. Health Communication, 36(1), 6-14. [https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2020.1847437]
  • Jang, K., & Baek, Y. M. (2019). When information from public health officials is untrustworthy: The use of online news, interpersonal networks, and social media during the mers outbreak in South Korea. Health Communication, 34(9), 991-998. [https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2018.1449552]
  • Jeong, D., & Park, J. (2021). A content analysis of COVID-19 fake-news: Pertaining to disinformation and its manipulative features. Locality & Communication, 25(4), 216-258. [ https://doi.org/10.47020/JLC.2021.11.25.4.216 ]
    정두흠‧박지혜 (2021). 코로나19 가짜뉴스의 유형 분석: 허위조작정보의 조작특징을 중심으로. <지역과커뮤니케이션>, 25권 4호, 216-258.
  • Johnson, B. B., & Slovic, P. (2015). Fearing or fearsome ebola communication? Keeping the public in the dark about possible post-21-day symptoms and infectiousness could backfire. Health, Risk & Society, 17(5-6), 458-471. [https://doi.org/10.1080/13698575.2015.1113237]
  • Jung, Y., Hong, J.-Y., & Park, Y. (2021). Regulatory responses to disinformation that infringes on social legal interests. Journal of Media Law, Ethics and Policy Research, 20(1), 73-114. [ https://doi.org/10.26542/JML.2021.4.20.1.73 ]
    정영주‧홍종윤‧박유진 (2021). 사회적 법익을 침해하는 허위조작 정보 대응을 위한 시론적 논의 - 코로나19 관련 허위조작 정보를 중심으로 -. <언론과 법>, 20권 1호, 73-114.
  • Kim, H. K., & Tandoc, E. C. (2022). Consequences of online misinformation on COVID-19: Two potential pathways and disparity by ehealth literacy. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 783909. [https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.783909]
  • Kim, Y., & Jeong, S.-H. (2023). Regional and cross-national differences and determinants in media literacy competencies: A comparison of the laws, policies, curriculum and the actors in 37 countries across Europe, the Anglo-America and Asia. Korean Journal of Journalism & Communication Studies, 67(6), 223-255. [ https://doi.org/10.20879/kjjcs.2023.67.6.007 ]
    김영은‧정세훈 (2023). 지역별 국가별 미디어 리터러시 역량 차이 및 요인 분석: 유럽, 영미권, 아시아 지역 37개국 법, 정책, 교육과정, 교육 참여 주체 유무 비교. <한국언론학보>, 67(6), 223-255.
  • Krishnan, N., Gu, J., Tromble, R., & Abroms, L. C. (2021). Research note: Examining how various social media platforms have responded to COVID-19 misinformation. Harvard Kennedy School Misinformation Review, 2(6). [https://doi.org/10.37016/mr-2020-85]
  • Lawson, M. A., Anand, S., & Kakkar, H. (2023). Tribalism and tribulations: The social costs of not sharing fake news. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 152(3), 611-631. [https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0001374]
  • Lazer, D. M. J., Baum, M. A., Benkler, Y., Berinsky, A. J., Greenhill, K. M., Menczer, F., ... & Zittrain, J. L. (2018). The science of fake news. Science, 359, 1094-1096. [https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aao2998]
  • Lithopoulos, A., Liu, S., Zhang, C.-Q., & Rhodes, R. E. (2021). Predicting physical distancing in the context of COVID-19: A test of the extended parallel process model among Canadian adults. Canadian Psychology, 62(1), 56-64. [https://doi.org/10.1037/cap0000270]
  • Loomba, S., de Figueiredo, A., Piatek, S. J., de Graaf, K., & Larson, H. J. (2021). Measuring the impact of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation on vaccination intent in the UK and USA. Nature Human Behaviour, 5(3), 337-348. [https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-021-01056-1]
  • Malik, A., Bashir, F., & Mahmood, K. (2023). Antecedents and consequences of misinformation sharing behavior among adults on social media during COVID-19. SAGE Open, 13(1). [https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221147022]
  • Meppelink, C. S., Bos, L., Boukes, M., & Möller, J. (2022). A health crisis in the age of misinformation: How social media and mass media influenced misperceptions about COVID-19 and compliance behavior. Journal of Health Communication, 27(10), 764-775. [https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2022.2153288]
  • Park, H., Jin, M., Park, J., & Lim, K. (2021). The analysis of national and international curricula for digital literacy education. Education Culture Research, 27(5), 75-101. [ https://doi.org/10.24159/joec.2021.27.5.75 ]
    박하나‧진명화‧박지우‧임규연 (2021). 국내외 디지털 리터러시 교육과정 분석. <교육문화연구>, 27권 5호, 75-101.
  • Rapp, D. N., & Salovich, N. A. (2018). Can’t we just disregard fake news? The consequences of exposure to inaccurate information. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 5(2), 232-239. [https://doi.org/10.1177/2372732218785193]
  • Reynolds, B., & Seeger, M. W. (2005). Crisis and emergency risk communication as an integrative model. Journal of Health Communication, 10(1), 43-55. [https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730590904571]
  • Rhodes, S. C. (2022). Filter bubbles, echo chambers, and fake news: How social media conditions individuals to be less critical of political misinformation. Political Communication, 39(1), 1-22. [https://doi.org/10.1080/10584609.2021.1910887]
  • Rich, P. R., & Zaragoza, M. S. (2016). The continued influence of implied and explicitly stated misinformation in news reports. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 42(1), 62-74. [https://doi.org/10.1037/xlm0000155]
  • Rovetta, A., & Castaldo, L. (2022). Are we sure we fully understand what an infodemic is? A global perspective on infodemiological problems. JMIRx Med, 3(3), e36510. [https://doi.org/10.2196/36510]
  • Singh, N., & Banga, G. (2022). Media and information literacy for developing resistance to ‘infodemic’: Lessons to be learnt from the binge of misinformation during COVID-19 pandemic. Media, Culture & Society, 44(1), 161-171. [https://doi.org/10.1177/01634437211060201]
  • Stoler, J., Klofstad, C. A., Enders, A. M., & Uscinski, J. E. (2022). Sociopolitical and psychological correlates of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the united states during summer 2021. Social Science & Medicine, 306, 115112. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115112]
  • Sung, W.-J., & Jung, E. (2020). A Study on the analysis of the type of COVID-19-related misinformation and efforts of major actors. Studies of Broadcasting Culture, 32(2), 7-54. [ https://doi.org/10.22854/sbc.2020.32.2.7 ]
    성욱제‧정은진 (2020). 코로나19 관련 허위정보의 유형 및 대응방안 분석. <방송문화연구>, 32권 2호, 7-54.
  • Thorson, E. (2016). Belief echoes: The persistent effects of corrected misinformation. Political Communication, 33(3), 460-480. [https://doi.org/10.1080/10584609.2015.1102187]
  • Tsoy, D., Tirasawasdichai, T., & Kurpayanidi, K. I. (2021). Role of social media in shaping public risk perception during COVID-19 pandemic: A theoretical review. International Journal of Management Science and Business Administration, 7(2), 35-41. [https://doi.org/10.18775/ijmsba.1849-5664-5419.2014.72.1005]
  • van Mulukom, V., Pummerer, L. J., Alper, S., Bai, H., Čavojová, V., Farias, J., ... & Žeželj, I. (2022). Antecedents and consequences of COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs: A systematic review. Social Science & Medicine, 301, 114912. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114912]
  • Wang, S., Li, L. Z., van Antwerpen, N., Suparman, S., Gayatri, M., Sari, N. P., & Zhang, S. X. (2021). Hand hygiene and mask-wearing practices during COVID-19 among healthcare workers: Misinformation as a predictor. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 105(6), 1483-1489. [https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.21-0463]
  • WHO. (2022). WHO policy brief: COVID-19 infodemic management, 14 September 2022. Retrieved 8/3/24 from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-Policy_Brief-Infodemic-2022.1
  • Witte, K. (1992). Putting the fear back into fear appeals: The extended parallel process model. Communication Monographs, 59(4), 329-349. [https://doi.org/10.1080/03637759209376276]
  • Witte, K. (1994). Fear control and danger control: A test of the extended parallel process model (EPPM). Communication Monographs, 61(2), 113-134. [https://doi.org/10.1080/03637759409376328]
  • Yoon, H., You, M., & Shon, C. (2022). An application of the extended parallel process model to protective behaviors against COVID-19 in South Korea. PloS One, 17(3), e0261132. [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0261132]
  • Yoon, K.-I. (2022). Who is vulnerable to fake news on COVID-19?. Journal of Golobal Politics, 15(2), 57-86. [ https://doi.org/10.35773/JGP.2022.15.2.57 ]
    윤광일 (2022). 누가 코로나19 관련 가짜뉴스에 취약한가. <글로벌정치연구>, 15권 2호, 57-86.
  • Zareie, A., & Sakellariou, R. (2021). Minimizing the spread of misinformation in online social networks: A survey. Journal of Network and Computer Applications, 186, 103094. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnca.2021.103094]