Collective responsibility and crisis communication: cultural insights into COVID-19 information sharing behaviors in China

This study investigates the cultural influences on COVID-19 information sharing behaviors during the early stages of the pandemic in China. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from February 12th to February 14th, 2020 and the data from 4991 Chinese respondents were analyzed using hierarchical ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. The findings revealed that younger individuals, and those with higher education and income levels, showed a greater propensity to share COVID-19 information. Notably, increased anxiety and perceived knowledge about COVID-19 were significantly associated with heightened information sharing. Social media emerged as a key platform for disseminating information, reflecting China's digital communication culture, while traditional media and news apps showed varied impacts on sharing behaviors. These results underscore the role of cultural and societal factors in shaping individuals' engagement in public health communication, offering insights for tailoring public health strategies to enhance information dissemination amidst health crises within the Chinese context.