From Incidental Exposure to COVID-19 Coping: The Influence of Expression and Perceived Networks on Social Media and Messaging Apps

ABSTRACTResearch has established the important role of incidental exposure in facilitating political learning, participation, as well as attitude polarization. Extending this line of work to public health crisis contexts, this study examines how pro-attitudinal and counter-attitudinal incidental exposures predict individuals’ expressive behaviors on social media and messaging apps (e.g. WhatsApp and LINE), and the subsequent coping outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysis of an online survey in Taiwan showed that incidental exposure was related to expressive behaviors on social media and LINE, which in turn predicted coping outcomes, regardless of whether the information affirmed or undermined individuals’ opinions. However, the relationships between pro-attitudinal but not counter-attitudinal incidental exposure and expressive behaviors varied by perceived network homogeneity both on social media and LINE. Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.Additional informationFundingThe work was supported by the Taiwan National Science and Technology Council [NSTC 108-2628-H-A49 -001 -SS4 & NSTC 109-2420-H-001-008).Notes on contributorsChih-Hui LaiChih-Hui Lai (PhD, Rutgers University, 2012) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan. Her research focuses on how individuals, groups and organizations use information and communication technologies (ICTs) to communicate and how relationships evolve or emerge through the process.