title: Rumor-Related and Exclusive Behavior Coverage in Internet News Reports Following the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Outbreak in Japan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to elucidate news article reporting of adverse public psychosocial behaviors, in particular, rumor-related coverage (eg, panic, demagoguery) and exclusive behavior coverage (negative behaviors, eg, discrimination, bullying) during the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) influenza pandemic in Japan.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined 154 Internet news-site articles reporting adverse public psychosocial responses in the first 60 days of the outbreak. Rumor-related coverage and exclusive behavior coverage were dichotomously coded as included or not. Moreover, we assessed whether or not health information (eg, coping methods, virus toxicity information) or emphasis on information quality (eg, importance of information, cautions about overreactions) were simultaneously reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rumor-related coverage (n=120, 77.9%) was less likely to simultaneously report public health information (eg, toxicity information, health support information, and cautions about overreactions; P<.05). Conversely, exclusive behavior coverage (n=41, 26.6%) was more likely to report public health information (P<.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rumor-related coverage was less likely to have accompanying public health information, whereas exclusive behavior coverage was more likely to include it. During public health crises, it is essential to understand that rumors and exclusive behaviors have adverse effects on the public and that accompanying public health information may help people take proactive coping actions.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Psychiatry,National Defense Medical College,Tokorozawa,Japan.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shigemura
authors.affiliation: 2Division of Nursing, School of Medicine,National Defense Medical College,Tokorozawa,Japan, andWilliam F. Connell School of Nursing,Boston College,Chestnut Hill,Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Nahoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Harada
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Psychiatry,National Defense Medical College,Tokorozawa,Japan.
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tanichi
authors.affiliation: 4Division of Behavioral Science,National Defense Medical College Research Institute,Tokorozawa,Japan.
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nagamine
authors.affiliation: 4Division of Behavioral Science,National Defense Medical College Research Institute,Tokorozawa,Japan.
authors.forename: Kunio
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.affiliation: 5Department of Social Welfare,Kansai University of Social Welfare,Ako,Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshiaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Katsuda
authors.affiliation: 6Department of Defense Medicine,National Defense Medical College,Tokorozawa,Japan.
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tokuno
authors.affiliation: 6Department of Defense Medicine,National Defense Medical College,Tokorozawa,Japan.
authors.forename: Gentaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tsumatori
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Psychiatry,National Defense Medical College,Tokorozawa,Japan.
authors.forename: Aihide
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yoshino
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D003142:Communication; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology*; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011584:Psychology; D011634:Public Health / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D012306:Risk
keywords: pandemic; public behavior; risk communication; rumor; stigmatization