Perceptions of Pandemic Messaging Across 36 Weeks: A Repeated Cross-Section Design With U.S. Adults

Abstract

To understand public perceptions of pandemic messaging, we surveyed U.S. adults for 36 consecutive weeks starting on March 12, 2020. Using a repeated cross-section design, we tracked intentions to engage in protective behaviors, demographics, and four message perceptions: exhaustion, overload, repetition, and exaggeration. Exhaustion increased over time and became negatively related to intentions (rising negativity model). Exaggeration was stable across the 36 weeks, yet had the strongest negative relationship with intentions and that relationship increased over time (fixed model with increasing negative relationship). Overload and repetition were positively related to intentions, but the relationships faded over time (fading positivity model).