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Research Article
Siv Hilde Berg
University of Stavanger
Corresponding Author
License:
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Background
A worldwide pandemic of a new and unknown virus is characterised by scientific uncertainty. Yet, health authorities still need to communicate complex health risk information to the public – despite this uncertainty. The mental models approach to risk communication describes how people perceive and make decisions regarding complex risks, with the aim of identifying decision-relevant information that can be targeted in risk communication interventions. This study used COVID-19 as a case to explore how people make sense of scientific information and apply it to their lives and behaviour using the concept of mental models.
Methods
This qualitative study included 15 male and female participants of different ages and from different geographical regions in Norway, occupational areas and with different education levels. The participants were interviewed individually, and the interview data analysed via directed content analysis, with predetermined themes and codes derived the Norwegian Institute of Public Health’s official website. Materials in the interview data not represented by deductive codes were coded inductively. The participants’ perceptions and behaviours related to health risk information were analysed across three themes: virus transmission, exposure to risk and consequences of COVID-19.
Results
The results imply that people put different meanings to the medical and scientific words used by experts to explain the pandemic, e.g. virus transmission and the reproduction number. And while some people expressed the need to comprehend why certain behavior and activities involve a high risk, others preferred simple, clear messages focusing on what to do and how to protect themselves. Similarly, information about health consequences caused panic for some and awareness for others.
Conclusion
There is no one-size fits all to public health risk communication, and empowering people with decision-relevant information necessitates targeted and balanced risk communication.
Keywords
mental models theory, risk communication, COVID-19
Figure 1
Figure 2
No competing interests reported.
This is a list of supplementary files associated with this preprint. Click to download.
- Additionalfile1.docx
Additional File 1
- Additionalfile2.docx
Additional File 2
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This preprint is under consideration at BMC Public Health. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research Article
Siv Hilde Berg
University of Stavanger
Corresponding Author
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 15 Oct, 2021
No community comments so far
Editor assigned
On 02 Nov, 2021
Editor invited
On 14 Oct, 2021
Submission checks complete
On 14 Oct, 2021
First submitted
On 01 Oct, 2021
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background
A worldwide pandemic of a new and unknown virus is characterised by scientific uncertainty. Yet, health authorities still need to communicate complex health risk information to the public – despite this uncertainty. The mental models approach to risk communication describes how people perceive and make decisions regarding complex risks, with the aim of identifying decision-relevant information that can be targeted in risk communication interventions. This study used COVID-19 as a case to explore how people make sense of scientific information and apply it to their lives and behaviour using the concept of mental models.
Methods
This qualitative study included 15 male and female participants of different ages and from different geographical regions in Norway, occupational areas and with different education levels. The participants were interviewed individually, and the interview data analysed via directed content analysis, with predetermined themes and codes derived the Norwegian Institute of Public Health’s official website. Materials in the interview data not represented by deductive codes were coded inductively. The participants’ perceptions and behaviours related to health risk information were analysed across three themes: virus transmission, exposure to risk and consequences of COVID-19.
Results
The results imply that people put different meanings to the medical and scientific words used by experts to explain the pandemic, e.g. virus transmission and the reproduction number. And while some people expressed the need to comprehend why certain behavior and activities involve a high risk, others preferred simple, clear messages focusing on what to do and how to protect themselves. Similarly, information about health consequences caused panic for some and awareness for others.
Conclusion
There is no one-size fits all to public health risk communication, and empowering people with decision-relevant information necessitates targeted and balanced risk communication.
Figure 1
Figure 2
No competing interests reported.
This is a list of supplementary files associated with this preprint. Click to download.
- Additionalfile1.docx
Additional File 1
- Additionalfile2.docx
Additional File 2
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