Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023;31(4):645-659.
doi: 10.1007/s10389-021-01539-5. Epub 2021 Apr 26.

Perceptions and effects of COVID-19 related information in Denmark and Sweden - a web-based survey about COVID-19 and social media

Sigrid Stjernswärd  1 , Anna-Karin Ivert  2 , Stinne Glasdam  3
Affiliations

Perceptions and effects of COVID-19 related information in Denmark and Sweden - a web-based survey about COVID-19 and social media

Sigrid Stjernswärd et al. Z Gesundh Wiss. 2023.

Erratum in

Abstract

Aim: Extensive COVID-19 information can generate information overload and confusion. Denmark and Sweden adopted different COVID-19 management strategies.

Aim: This study aimed to compare search strategies, perceptions and effects of COVID-19 information, in general and specifically in social media, in residents in Denmark and Sweden.

Subject and methods: Quantitative data from a sample of respondents (n = 616) from Denmark and Sweden on an international web-based survey was analysed using descriptive and analytical statistics.

Results: The results showed similarities between the countries regarding preferred and trusted information sources, use of (social) media, and psychosocial and behavioural effects of such information. Traditional media and social media were frequently used for COVID-19 information. Especially health authorities and researchers were trusted sources, representing the dominant medico-political discourse. There were no differences in negative effect and social behaviour. Residents in Denmark experienced significantly more positive effects than residents in Sweden.

Conclusion: Summarily, the study showed similarities and small differences among residents in both countries related to usage patterns, perceptions and effects of COVID-19 information from (social) media, despite diverging strategies.

Keywords: COVID-19 information; Denmark; Psychosocial effects; Social media; Survey; Sweden.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

References

    1. Ahmed ST. Managing news overload (MNO): the COVID-19 Infodemic. Information. 2020;11(8):375. doi: 10.3390/info11080375. - DOI
    1. Altinget (2020) Danmark lukker ned: Regeringen sender elever, studerende og offentligt ansatte hjem [Denmark locks down: The government sends pupils, students and public employees home]. 11 March. https://www.altinget.dk/artikel/regeringen-lukker-store-dele-af-den-offe.... Accessed 9 June 2020
    1. Balog-Way DH, McComas KA (2020) COVID-19: reflections on trust, tradeoffs, and preparedness. J Risk Res 23:838–848. 10.1080/13669877.2020.175819
    1. Berger PL, Luckmann T. The social construction of reality. Treatise in the sociology of knowledge. New York: Penguin Putnam Inc.; 1966.
    1. Bjerre J, Drescher M, Tofting K (2019) Indvandrere og efterkommere i de nordiske lande [Immigrants and descendants in the Nordic countries]. DST Analyse. 26 March. Danmarks Statistik https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUK.... Accessed 21 August 2020

LinkOut - more resources