Public health messages during a global emergency through an online community: a discourse and sentiment analysis

Megan Watkins; Jaimee S Mallion; Daniel Frings; Jane Wills; Susie Sykes; Andrew Whittaker

doi:10.3389/fdgth.2023.1130784

Public health messages during a global emergency through an online community: a discourse and sentiment analysis

Front Digit Health. 2023 Jun 28:5:1130784. doi: 10.3389/fdgth.2023.1130784. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Megan Watkins¹, Jaimee S Mallion², Daniel Frings², Jane Wills¹, Susie Sykes¹, Andrew Whittaker¹

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Health and Social Care, London South Bank University, London, United Kingdom.
² School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, London, United Kingdom.

Abstract

The growing popularity of social media and its ubiquitous presence in our lives brings associated risks such as the spread of mis- and disinformation, particularly when these may be unregulated in times of global crises. Online communities are able to provide support by enabling connection with others and also provide great potential for dynamic interaction and timely dissemination of information compared with more traditional methods. This study evaluates interactions within the Essex Coronavirus Action/Support Facebook private group, which set out to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection by informing Essex residents of guidance and helping vulnerable individuals. At the outset, 18 community administrators oversaw the group, which attracted approximately 37,900 members. Longitudinal Facebook group interactions across five periods spanning the UK lockdowns 2020-2021 were analysed using psychological discourse analysis and supplementary computed-mediated analysis to further explore sentiment and linguistic features. The findings endorsed that the group provided a protected space for residents to express their feelings in times of crises and an opportunity to address confusion and concern. The effective communication of public health messages was facilitated by promoting desired interaction and the construction of group identities. Administrators worked with group members to achieve a shared understanding of others' perspectives and the COVID-19 evidence base, which led to a mobilisation of the provision of support in the community. This was accomplished through the application of rhetorical and interactional devices. This study demonstrates how online groups can employ discursive strategies to engage audiences, build cohesion, provide support, and encourage health protective behaviours. This has implications for public health teams in terms of designing, implementing, or evaluating such interventions.

Keywords: COVID-19; Facebook (FB); discourse; longitudinal; online community; sentiment.

Grants and funding

This evaluation was conducted by PHIRST South Bank and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR; PHIRST South Bank Award ID NIHR131568 and Research Award ID NIHR134151).