Work

Examining factors that increase tuberculosis knowledge: a multigroup comparison of the cognitive mediation model based on belief in science

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Drawing upon the Cognitive Mediation Model (CMM), this study aims to examine how attention to television, text-based social media, and video-based social media influence knowledge acquisition about tuberculosis (TB) via elaboration and interpersonal discussion. A total of 467 Chinese respondents participated in our survey. The results demonstrated that attention to text-based and video-based social media significantly promoted elaboration, which, in turn, enhanced both subjective and factual knowledge about TB. Attention to television, text-based, and video-based social media also facilitated interpersonal discussion; however, interpersonal discussion only increased subjective knowledge, not factual knowledge. The multigroup analysis demonstrated that the effects of (a) attention to television on interpersonal discussion and (b) elaboration on subjective knowledge were more pronounced among participants with high level of belief in science than among those with low science belief. These findings contribute to the CMM literature and offer practical implications for designing targeted health communication strategies to combat TB.

Source: Humanities and Social Sciences Communications

DOI: 10.1057/s41599-026-08518-9

Authors: Lunrui Fu, Ruoxi Zhong, Liang Chen, Liang Chen, Dajun Li

Institutions: Tsinghua University, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou Chest Hospital, Xiamen University

Language: English

Topic: Media Influence and Health

Subfield: Communication

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,890