In recent instances of the latest contagious disease emergencies, the public has begun to gain initial information about the malady from social media networking sites, aka social media, and immediately share it with their friends and family. However, the abundance of information and opinions in social media can lead to a decreased perceived threat and might disrupt the acceptance of preventive actions. People are likely to stay at home as a preventive measure during COVID-19 if there is enough threats and efficacy. Meanwhile, the influence of social media exposure on threats and behavioral intentions was not significant. Moreover, a positive effect of efficacy on threats was found, as was a moderating effect of threats on the relationship between efficacy and the intention to stay at home. The study results indicate that both components of the EPPM-efficacy and threat-positively affect вЂstay at homeвЂ™ intentions. The empirical research was conducted on a sample of 306 USA respondents. A self-reported questionnaire was used to measure individualsвЂ™ intention to stay at home during the pandemic based on the perceived locus of causality as a part of self-determination theory. The conceptual framework was developed using the elements of the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM). Considering how communities perceive the threat and risks of COVID-19, it is essential to examine how emotional regulation stimulated through intrinsic and extrinsic incentive mechanisms via social media can reinforce вЂStay at homeвЂ™ intentions.

Exposure x threat