The Role of Emotional Appeal in Water Conservation Communication: A Framework for Social Media Engagement

Mohammad Fahmi Abu Bakar (Corresponding / Lead Author), Wenyan Wu (Corresponding / Lead Author), David Proverb, Eirini Mavritsaki (Corresponding / Lead Author)

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Amidst growing concerns about water shortages, harnessing the potential of social media emerges as a crucial strategy. While informative messaging in environmental communication has been widely acknowledged, the role of emotional appeal remains underexplored. This study aims to bridge this gap by proposing a comprehensive framework that integrates emotional appeal, evoked through video creativity and multimedia effects. Focusing on the UK context and in-formed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), the study highlights the complex interplay between cognitive and affective factors in water conservation communication. By applying Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to a dataset containing 443 responses, the analysis reveals that emotional appeal, when evoked through creativity, not only positively influences individuals’ attitudes but also extends to shape perceived behavioural control. The finding further emphasises the ability of emotional appeal to serve as a complementary aspect that enriches individuals’ motivational framework and influences their inclination towards engaging in the intended behaviour. The study has important implications for improving current marketing efforts and encouraging behavioural shifts among water consumers. By including emotional appeal in social media communication strategies, environmental communicators can effectively build empathy and promote sustainability. Additionally, this study offers a valuable understanding of the complex nature of water conservation communication, providing practical strategies for enhancing environmental messaging and encouraging positive behaviour changes
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalSustainable Water Resources Management
    Volume10
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished (VoR) - 17 Jul 2024

    Keywords

    • effective communication; ELM; emotional appeal; informativeness; TPB; water conservation

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