Understanding crisis dynamics during public health emergencies

An integrated framework of social consequences, trust, and behavioral responses

Datos Bibliográficos

ID22433443
AutoresWenyue Xu (Beijing Normal University), Naizhe Li (Beijing Normal University)
Año2026
Volumen14
Fecha de publicación2026-07-15
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
EditorialFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2026.1875500
OpenAlexW7168337995
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas76

Public health emergencies are inherently social crises that disrupt institutions, livelihoods, and everyday social functioning. However, the factors that determine whether their crisis dimensions are amplified, sustained, or attenuated remain insufficiently understood from an integrated, macro-systemic perspective. This review synthesizes evidence across epidemiology, sociology, psychology, and public health to examine the interacting mechanisms that shape the social dynamics of epidemics. We develop a framework in which social consequences, trust dynamics, behavioral and psychological responses, and information environments jointly influence crisis trajectories through reciprocal feedback processes. Trust is conceptualized as a critical mediating factor linking governance to public behavior, while inequalities and information environments condition whether disruptions are contained or amplified. We conclude that epidemic preparedness should move beyond a pathogen-centered model to integrate social protection, trust-sensitive communication, mental health support, and infodemic management.

Corporate governance · Preparedness · Public health · Reciprocal · Social determinants of health · Social dynamics · Disaster Management and Resilience · Misinformation and Its Impacts · Public Relations and Crisis Communication