Psychological Analysis on Network Rumors Spread in COVID-19 Epidemic

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, related rumors have been spread rapidly on social media, which has seriously affected public normal life and caused mental panic and anxiety. This paper, by analyzing the spread of online rumors and their impact on public mental health during the COVID-19 epidemic, aims to put forward relevant suggestions for dealing with rumors and improving public mental health.

According to the actual rumors collected during the epidemic period as the content of the questionnaire, an online rumor survey was carried out. A total of 1,200 questionnaires were distributed, and 1,165 valid questionnaires were collected.

Among the sources of information about the epidemic, 78.2% of the respondents obtained epidemic information through online channels. 633 respondents were concerned about the epidemic situation, accounting for 54.3%. The respondents have different susceptibility to the epidemic sources, epidemic spread, epidemic treatment, epidemic influence, and epidemic prevention. They account for 37.2%, 43. 4%, 45.2%, 39.4%, and 46.1% respectively. 646 respondents expressed great anxiety about the epidemic situation, accounting for 55.5%. The source (t=26.33, P<0.05), transmission (t=28.32, P<0.05), prevention (t=35.36, P<0.05), treatment (t=40.32, P<0.05), and impact of the epidemic (t=42.01, P<0.05) can significantly predict the transmission intention.

To control the spread of epidemic rumors and reduce the negative impact of such information on public mental health, the government and various walks of life need to collaborate to solve the problem from the aspects of information disclosure system, supervision means, and network communication system.