Assessing the Efficacy of COVID-19 Fear Appeal Messaging in Promoting Adherence to COVID-19 Preventative Measures and Their Effect on Anxiety

Malone, Billy (2023) Assessing the Efficacy of COVID-19 Fear Appeal Messaging in Promoting Adherence to COVID-19 Preventative Measures and Their Effect on Anxiety. Undergraduate thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 fear appeal messaging on participants' intentions to adhere to COVID-19 preventative measures and their anxiety levels. The study also sought to explore the potential unintended consequences of COVID-19 specific fear-based messaging. Method: Participants (N=28) were exposed to a fear appeal PowerPoint presentation and completed a COVID-19 attitudes questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model. Pre and post exposure anxiety levels were measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Statistical analyses were performed to compare future intentions to adhere to COVID-19 preventative measures scores and anxiety scores before and after exposure to the fear appeal. Results: Exposure to the fear appeal presentation did not significantly increase intentions to adopt COVID-19 preventive measures. However, it did lead to a significant increase in anxiety levels among participants. Conclusion: COVID-19 fear appeal messaging had a limited impact on promoting adherence to preventative measures but significantly heightened anxiety levels. Balancing fear induction messages with efficacy information in health messaging is important. Future research should investigate defensive avoidance and include placebo groups to enhance understanding of fear-based health communication strategies. These findings inform the development of targeted and effective public health communication strategies.

Item Type:	Thesis (Undergraduate)
Supervisors:	Name Email O'Brien, Fearghal UNSPECIFIED
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > Diseases > Outbreaks of disease > Epidemics > COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020- B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology > Emotions
Divisions:	School of Business > BA (Honours) in Psychology
Depositing User:	Tamara Malone
Date Deposited:	13 Feb 2024 14:48
Last Modified:	13 Feb 2024 14:48
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/6955

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