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

Doris Yuet Lan Leung (), Shoilee Khan, Hilary Hwu, Aaida Mamuji, Jack Rozdilsky, Terri Chu and Charlotte Lee
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Doris Yuet Lan Leung: School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Shoilee Khan: Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Hilary Hwu: Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
Aaida Mamuji: Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Jack Rozdilsky: Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Terri Chu: Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Charlotte Lee: Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 5, 1-15

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.

Keywords: cognitive dissonance; COVID-19; immigrants; risk communication; risk perception; qualitative; narrative; storytelling; vulnerability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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