A new model of the impact of information dissemination with emotional responses on disease transmission in multilayer networks

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During disease transmission, the dissemination of information about the disease prompts safety concerns among individuals. Individuals’ various emotional responses to information may affect infection prevention measures and, consequently, disease transmission. In this paper, we propose a new coupled information and disease transmission model with emotional factors in multiplex networks. Our specific focus is on the impact of diverse emotional responses on the dynamics process. We employ the Microscopic Markov Chain Approach (MMCA) to analyze the model, and obtaining state transfer equations, and deriving the disease transmission threshold. Extensive numerical simulations show that dissemination of information by relevant authorities motivates individuals to adopt scientific self-protective behaviors, thus helping to control disease transmission. Furthermore, individuals who have different emotional responses after obtaining information have varying effects on disease transmission, and reducing the anxiety response or increasing the calm response of individuals can more effectively decrease the scale of disease transmission and increase the disease transmission threshold. In summary, improving the quality of information released by the emergency management department, reducing the individual’s anxiety response, and encouraging the adoption of positive and effective protective measures are of paramount importance for epidemic prevention and control.