Communicating Zika Risk: Using Metaphor to Increase Perceived Risk Susceptibility

Risk Analysis : an Official Publication of the Society for Risk Analysis
Hang Lu, Jonathon P Schuldt

Abstract

Effectively communicating the risks associated with emerging zoonotic diseases remains an important challenge. Drawing on research into the psychological effects of metaphoric framing, we explore the conditions under which exposure to the "nation as a body" metaphor influences perceived risk susceptibility, behavioral intentions, and policy support in the context of Zika virus. In a between-subjects experiment, 354 U.S. adults were randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions as part of a 2 (severity message: high vs. low) × 2 (U.S. framing: metaphoric vs. literal) design. Results revealed an interaction effect such that metaphoric (vs. literal) framing increased perceived risk susceptibility in the high-severity condition only. Further analyses revealed that perceived risk susceptibility and negative affect mediated the path between the two-way interaction and policy support and behavioral intentions regarding Zika prevention. Overall, these findings complement prior work on the influence of metaphoric framing on risk perceptions, while offering practical insights for risk communicators seeking to communicate about Zika and other zoonotic diseases.

References

Apr 24, 2001·Psychological Bulletin·G F LoewensteinN Welch
Mar 21, 2006·Journal of Health Communication·Katherine A McComas
Feb 22, 2008·Nature·Kate E JonesPeter Daszak
Mar 21, 2009·The Milbank Quarterly·Colleen L BarryMark Schlesinger
Sep 9, 2010·Psychological Bulletin·Mark J LandauLucas A Keefer
Jan 14, 2011·British Journal of Health Psychology·Eva JanssenLilian Lechner
Mar 5, 2011·PloS One·Paul H Thibodeau, Lera Boroditsky
Jul 16, 2013·PLoS Pathogens·David M Morens, Anthony S Fauci
Oct 30, 2014·Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin·David J Hauser, Norbert Schwarz
Feb 18, 2015·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Eric P Hoberg, Daniel R Brooks
Oct 27, 2015·Psychological Bulletin·Melanie B TannenbaumDolores Albarracín
Apr 22, 2016·Emerging Infectious Diseases·Brian G SouthwellBridget J Kelly
Aug 28, 2016·American Journal of Infection Control·King-Wa FuIsaac Chun-Hai Fung
Jan 27, 2017·Journal of Public Health Management and Practice : JPHMP·Jonathan D LehnertAllison T Chamberlain

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Sep 4, 2018·Risk Analysis : an Official Publication of the Society for Risk Analysis·Branden B Johnson

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.