The Effect of Risk Communication on the Happiness of People During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand
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Abstract
The pandemic of 2020 and onwards, caused the Thai government to adopt a similar curfew and socially restrictive policies as most countries worldwide. Previously, a lack of effective antivirals, economic burdens, and governmental denial, amongst other problems, caused a rise in poor communication outcomes. The purpose of this study was path analysis of the relationships between the factors with risk communication in a pandemic period relating to the happiness and wellness of people in Thailand. The study was undertaken between April and June 2020. A path model was tested in a sample of 907 participants who were Naresuan University students and other people on social networking sites. The responses to this online survey were analysed by multiple regression. The results revealed that the happiness factor increases by an average of 5.9 when media exposure and the demographic variables including age, gender, education, income and employment contributed positively to predicting the risk perception of COVID-19 pandemic panic whereas income negatively predicted the prevention of COVID and attitudes towards the AID policy. Associations between levels of distress and fear of death and information seeking regarding COVID-19 through the media, and social media use for support – and the risk perception through media was found (βpanic= .10, p < .001; βprevention = .23, p < .001; βsocial distancing = .14, p < .05). To sum up, information distributed by local public address systems and interpersonal communications with local leaders, public health doctors and public health volunteers was considered to be easily understood. These forms of communication supplied information on the situation and helped to confirm the beliefs of local people.
Keywords: COVID-19 Pandemic, Media Use, Risk Communication, Risk Perception, Happiness
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