Trust in social media and COVID-19 beliefs and behaviours
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Date
Authors
Nicholls, Nicky
Yitbarek, Eleni
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Public Library of Science
Abstract
The study investigates the relationship between trust in social media and beliefs and preventive behaviours in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We surveyed 1008 respondents
in South Africa to study how trust in social media relative to other information sources predicts perceived risk and adoption of preventive behaviours. Although engagement with and
trust in social media do not predict less adoption of preventive behaviours, trusting information from social media more than information from mass media or scientists is associated
with less risk perception from COVID-19 and reduces the adoption of preventive behaviours
(including vaccines).
Description
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENTS Statement: Data is available on
the University of Pretoria Figshare site. The DOI is
10.25403/UPresearchdata.19463492
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL : S1 Table. Details of responses to categorical predictor variables. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275969.s001
S2 Table. Regressions using Tobit and logit models for behaviour. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275969.s002
S3 Table. Comparing impacts of different measures using Tobit and OLS models. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275969.s003
S1 Questionnaire. Informed consent and questionnaire. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275969.s004
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL : S1 Table. Details of responses to categorical predictor variables. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275969.s001
S2 Table. Regressions using Tobit and logit models for behaviour. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275969.s002
S3 Table. Comparing impacts of different measures using Tobit and OLS models. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275969.s003
S1 Questionnaire. Informed consent and questionnaire. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275969.s004
Keywords
Social media, Vaccines, Medical risk factors, Prophylaxis, Scientists, Surveys, COVID-19 pandemic, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Nicholls, N. &, Yitbarek, E. (2022) Trust in
social media and COVID-19 beliefs and behaviours.
PLoS ONE 17(10): e0275969. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275969.