Reconsidering the Effectiveness of Fear Appeals: An Experimental Study of Interactive Fear Messaging to Promote Positive Actions on Climate Change.

IF 2.4 2区医学 Q1 COMMUNICATION Journal of Health Communication Pub Date : 2024-06-03 Epub Date: 2024-06-05 DOI:10.1080/10810730.2024.2360025

Hongjie Tang, Liang Chen, Sijia Liu, Xinying Tan, Yunsong Li

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Abstract

Masspersonal communication has emerged as a compelling alternative persuasive approach in response to the widespread use of social media. It is crucial to comprehend how observing online interpersonal interactions regarding the fear appeal of climate change can foster pro-environmental behaviors among users. This study examines the effects of vicarious message interactivity in promoting actions against climate change and the underlying mechanisms behind this effect. The results of an online experiment conducted in China (N = 236) revealed that psychological reactance and message elaboration mediated the effects of vicarious message interactivity on behavioral intention in a serial indirect effect. In comparison to static fear appeal, interactive fear appeal proves effective in reducing psychological reactance, promoting message elaboration, and ultimately increasing intention to take actions against climate change. Our findings not only contribute to the literature on interactive communication but also provide insights for environmental-health campaigns on social media.

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重新考虑恐惧呼吁的有效性：交互式恐惧信息促进气候变化积极行动的实验研究》。

随着社交媒体的广泛使用，大众传播已成为一种引人注目的替代性说服方法。了解观察有关气候变化恐惧吸引力的在线人际互动如何促进用户的环保行为至关重要。本研究探讨了代入式信息互动在促进应对气候变化行动方面的效果，以及这种效果背后的潜在机制。在中国进行的在线实验（N = 236）结果表明，心理反应和信息阐述以串联间接效应的形式介导了代入式信息互动性对行为意向的影响。与静态恐惧诉求相比，互动恐惧诉求能有效降低心理反应，促进信息阐述，并最终提高采取行动应对气候变化的意愿。我们的研究结果不仅为有关互动交流的文献做出了贡献，还为社交媒体上的环境健康活动提供了启示。

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来源期刊

Journal of Health Communication Multiple-

CiteScore

5.60

自引率

4.50%

发文量

期刊介绍： Journal of Health Communication: International Perspectives is the leading journal covering the full breadth of a field that focuses on the communication of health information globally. Articles feature research on: • Developments in the field of health communication; • New media, m-health and interactive health communication; • Health Literacy; • Social marketing; • Global Health; • Shared decision making and ethics; • Interpersonal and mass media communication; • Advances in health diplomacy, psychology, government, policy and education; • Government, civil society and multi-stakeholder initiatives; • Public Private partnerships and • Public Health campaigns. Global in scope, the journal seeks to advance a synergistic relationship between research and practical information. With a focus on promoting the health literacy of the individual, caregiver, provider, community, and those in the health policy, the journal presents research, progress in areas of technology and public health, ethics, politics and policy, and the application of health communication principles. The journal is selective with the highest quality social scientific research including qualitative and quantitative studies.