Using the ELM to Explore the Impact of Fake News on Panic Vaccination Intention

Abstract

The study explores the effects of COVID-19 vaccine fake news on social media from the perspective of the elaboration likelihood model (ELM). The research model theorizes that factors of the central route and factors of the peripheral route influence panic vaccination intention through the third-person effect of fake news, personal norm, and the individual's attitude toward panic vaccination (i.e., the vaccination equivalent of “panic buying”). Data were collected via an online survey with 409 valid responses. The study applies partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the hypotheses. The findings have theoretical and practical implications and provide insights to help reduce the spread of fake news on social media during an outbreak to better ensure that people are not misled by fake news.