Family protection motivation and economic vulnerability: a network analysis of public influenza risk perception, education and mitigation strategies in China

BackgroundIn the post-pandemic era, influenza and COVID-19 jointly exacerbate global public health burdens, yet persistent biases in risk perception drive declining vaccination rates and health disparities. Conventional linear models fail to capture the complex interactions between risk cognition, f...

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Main Authors: Cheng Yang, Jiawei Li, Xianqiong Feng, Shaoyu Su, Qin Zeng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Public Health
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1633541/full
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author Cheng Yang
Cheng Yang
Jiawei Li
Jiawei Li
Xianqiong Feng
Xianqiong Feng
Shaoyu Su
Shaoyu Su
Qin Zeng
Qin Zeng
author_facet Cheng Yang
Cheng Yang
Jiawei Li
Jiawei Li
Xianqiong Feng
Xianqiong Feng
Shaoyu Su
Shaoyu Su
Qin Zeng
Qin Zeng
author_sort Cheng Yang
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundIn the post-pandemic era, influenza and COVID-19 jointly exacerbate global public health burdens, yet persistent biases in risk perception drive declining vaccination rates and health disparities. Conventional linear models fail to capture the complex interactions between risk cognition, family protection motivation, and socioeconomic vulnerability—particularly within collectivist contexts like China. This gap impedes effective interventions targeting critical behavioral nodes in influenza mitigation.ObjectiveThis study employs network analysis to uncover the core structural features of influenza risk perception among the Chinese public, examining the association between science literacy and risk perception to inform targeted mitigation and intervention strategies.DesignA multicenter, cross-sectional network analysis study using convenience sampling.SettingFifteen provinces across mainland China, covering eastern, western, southern, northern, and central regions.Participants1,416 individuals aged 18–70, representing diverse occupations, education levels, and income groups.ResultsThe public’s influenza risk perception network exhibited a “family-knowledge-economy” triadic structure. “Risk of family infection” (M_2) emerged as the central node (strength = 2.165), while “transmissibility knowledge” (F_3) and “socioeconomic loss” (S_2) served as the key knowledge nodes (strength = 1.520) and bridge node (bridge strength = 2.037). Additionally, science literacy moderated risk perception by enhancing perceived control, with the strongest association observed between knowledge level and “temporal controllability” (C_3, edge weight = 0.25). Family-based knowledge-sharing effects were significant (K_1-K_2 edge weight = 0.42). Network stability tests confirmed robustness (centrality stability coefficient CS > 0.5, core node differences p < 0.01).ConclusionNetwork analysis reveals a “family-knowledge-economy” triad governing influenza risk perception, with family infection risk (M_2) as the central driver (strength = 2.165) and socioeconomic loss (S_2) as the pivotal bridge node (bridge strength = 2.037). Science literacy amplifies perceived controllability (C_3–K_1 edge = 0.25) but fails to alleviate economic anxiety, underscoring the need for integrated structural policies. Family-centered interventions—leveraging tiered communication, economic security narratives, and real-time surveillance of network dynamics—are essential to optimize public health strategies in collectivist societies.
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spelling doaj-art-4e89f3b8fda047148e1f6b7450fdd9e52025-08-20T03:41:01ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-08-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.16335411633541Family protection motivation and economic vulnerability: a network analysis of public influenza risk perception, education and mitigation strategies in ChinaCheng Yang0Cheng Yang1Jiawei Li2Jiawei Li3Xianqiong Feng4Xianqiong Feng5Shaoyu Su6Shaoyu Su7Qin Zeng8Qin Zeng9Department of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaKey Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, ChinaKey Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, ChinaDepartment of Pediatric Outpatient Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaDepartment of Nursing, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaWest China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaKey Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, ChinaDepartment of Pediatrics Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaKey Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, ChinaDepartment of Pediatrics Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaBackgroundIn the post-pandemic era, influenza and COVID-19 jointly exacerbate global public health burdens, yet persistent biases in risk perception drive declining vaccination rates and health disparities. Conventional linear models fail to capture the complex interactions between risk cognition, family protection motivation, and socioeconomic vulnerability—particularly within collectivist contexts like China. This gap impedes effective interventions targeting critical behavioral nodes in influenza mitigation.ObjectiveThis study employs network analysis to uncover the core structural features of influenza risk perception among the Chinese public, examining the association between science literacy and risk perception to inform targeted mitigation and intervention strategies.DesignA multicenter, cross-sectional network analysis study using convenience sampling.SettingFifteen provinces across mainland China, covering eastern, western, southern, northern, and central regions.Participants1,416 individuals aged 18–70, representing diverse occupations, education levels, and income groups.ResultsThe public’s influenza risk perception network exhibited a “family-knowledge-economy” triadic structure. “Risk of family infection” (M_2) emerged as the central node (strength = 2.165), while “transmissibility knowledge” (F_3) and “socioeconomic loss” (S_2) served as the key knowledge nodes (strength = 1.520) and bridge node (bridge strength = 2.037). Additionally, science literacy moderated risk perception by enhancing perceived control, with the strongest association observed between knowledge level and “temporal controllability” (C_3, edge weight = 0.25). Family-based knowledge-sharing effects were significant (K_1-K_2 edge weight = 0.42). Network stability tests confirmed robustness (centrality stability coefficient CS > 0.5, core node differences p < 0.01).ConclusionNetwork analysis reveals a “family-knowledge-economy” triad governing influenza risk perception, with family infection risk (M_2) as the central driver (strength = 2.165) and socioeconomic loss (S_2) as the pivotal bridge node (bridge strength = 2.037). Science literacy amplifies perceived controllability (C_3–K_1 edge = 0.25) but fails to alleviate economic anxiety, underscoring the need for integrated structural policies. Family-centered interventions—leveraging tiered communication, economic security narratives, and real-time surveillance of network dynamics—are essential to optimize public health strategies in collectivist societies.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1633541/fullinfluenza risk perceptionnetwork analysisfamily protection motivationsocioeconomic vulnerabilityscience literacypublic health strategy
spellingShingle Cheng Yang
Cheng Yang
Jiawei Li
Jiawei Li
Xianqiong Feng
Xianqiong Feng
Shaoyu Su
Shaoyu Su
Qin Zeng
Qin Zeng
Family protection motivation and economic vulnerability: a network analysis of public influenza risk perception, education and mitigation strategies in China
Frontiers in Public Health
influenza risk perception
network analysis
family protection motivation
socioeconomic vulnerability
science literacy
public health strategy
title Family protection motivation and economic vulnerability: a network analysis of public influenza risk perception, education and mitigation strategies in China
title_full Family protection motivation and economic vulnerability: a network analysis of public influenza risk perception, education and mitigation strategies in China
title_fullStr Family protection motivation and economic vulnerability: a network analysis of public influenza risk perception, education and mitigation strategies in China
title_full_unstemmed Family protection motivation and economic vulnerability: a network analysis of public influenza risk perception, education and mitigation strategies in China
title_short Family protection motivation and economic vulnerability: a network analysis of public influenza risk perception, education and mitigation strategies in China
title_sort family protection motivation and economic vulnerability a network analysis of public influenza risk perception education and mitigation strategies in china
topic influenza risk perception
network analysis
family protection motivation
socioeconomic vulnerability
science literacy
public health strategy
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1633541/full
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