The Risk Perception of the Chinese Diaspora during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Targeting Cognitive Dissonance through Storytelling.

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  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: MDPI Country of Publication: Switzerland NLM ID: 101238455 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1660-4601 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 16604601 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Int J Environ Res Public Health Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Original Publication: Basel : MDPI, c2004-
    • Subject Terms:
      COVID-19*/psychology ; COVID-19*/prevention & control ; Cognitive Dissonance*; Humans ; China ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Narration ; Social Media ; Pandemics ; Asian People/psychology ; Social Stigma ; Canada ; East Asian People
    • Abstract:
      The global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 required risk communications to mitigate the virus' spread. However, social media not only conveyed health information to minimize the contagion, but also distracted from the threat by linking it to an externalized 'other'-primarily those appearing to be of Chinese descent. This disinformation caused the attribution of blame to Chinese people worldwide. In Canada's Greater Toronto Area, Chinese individuals reported widespread public stigma that compounded their risk of contagion; to the degree that it was driven by cognitive dissonance, it generated experiences of social and cultural vulnerability. In this paper, we draw on the aforementioned study's findings to explain how the risk perception and threat appraisal of Chinese diaspora individuals were impacted by different cognitive dissonance pathways. These findings explore how storytelling is a viable intervention with which to target and mitigate cognitive dissonance. Indeed, the mechanisms of cognitive dissonance can modify risk perception and mitigate social and cultural vulnerability, thereby averting potential long-term negative consequences for one's mental health and well-being. We hope our guidance, training educators to target pathways of cognitive dissonance by drawing on storytelling (with humour), can assist them to better convey information in ways that are more inclusive during public health emergencies.
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    • Grant Information:
      0V7-170381 Canada CAPMC CIHR; 0V7-170381 Canada CAPMC CIHR
    • Contributed Indexing:
      Keywords: COVID-19; cognitive dissonance; immigrants; narrative; qualitative; risk communication; risk perception; storytelling; vulnerability
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20240525 Date Completed: 20240525 Latest Revision: 20240527
    • Publication Date:
      20240527
    • Accession Number:
      PMC11120858
    • Accession Number:
      10.3390/ijerph21050556
    • Accession Number:
      38791771