Understanding Fear of Zika: Personal, Interpersonal, and Media Influences

• In Event: Emotion in Health Communication

Abstract

The appearance of the Zika virus is worrisome for several reasons. It is clear that the virus can inflict neurological damage to unborn infants. Evidence of possible harms to adults continues to accrue (Peterson, Jamieson, Powers, & Honein, 2016). Transmission is also a concern given that it is the first known virus for which mosquitoes and sex are simultaneous vectors. However, public health researchers have noted that non-biologic outcomes may be equally consequential: “Widespread fear can lead to social and economic consequences as serious as the disease itself” (Lancet, 2005, p. 1751). An abundance of empirical research supports the idea individual and institutional processes can be degraded by fear (e.g., Lempel, Epstein, & Hammond, 2009). Thus, we sought to better understand the precursors of Zika-related fear. Our research focused on a segment of U. S. society most likely to be at risk at the time the research was conducted, that is, women of child-bearing age in living in Southern states.

Authors

• Chun Yang, Louisiana State University

• James P Dillard, Pennsylvania State U

• Ruobing Li