Gender and Presence of Children: Examining Media Uses, Informational Needs, and Source Preferences during the Flint, Michigan, Water Crisis

Ashleigh M. Day; Sydney O’Shay-Wallace; Matthew W. Seeger; Shawn P. McElmurry

doi:10.70135/jicrcr.v3i2.33

Gender and Presence of Children: Examining Media Uses, Informational Needs, and Source Preferences during the Flint, Michigan, Water Crisis

Authors

Ashleigh M. Day University of Texas at Tyler, Department of Communication, Tyler, TX, USA
Sydney O’Shay-Wallace Wayne State University, Department of Communication, Detroit, MI, USA
Matthew W. Seeger Wayne State University, College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, Detroit, MI, USA
Shawn P. McElmurry Wayne State University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Detroit, MI, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70135/jicrcr.v3i2.33

Keywords:

children, crisis communication, gender, informational needs, media use

Abstract

In 2014, a water crisis emerged in Flint, Michigan. Using uses and gratifications theory as the guiding framework, this study examines if crisis-related media uses, informational needs, and source preferences are related to respondents’ gender and/or whether or
not respondents had children. A random sample of 208 Flint residents yielded results that are largely consistent with extant research, although minor nuances were found. Media uses, preferred informational sources, and desire to receive future crisis-related health information varied between women and men. Women reported significantly higher use of Facebook and Instagram. However, there were not significant differences between genders or respondents with/without children regarding their future informational needs about crisis-related health topics. Results are discussed in relation to extant research, theory, and praxis. Limitations and future research are also discussed.

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Published

2020-10-12

How to Cite

Ashleigh M. Day, Sydney O’Shay-Wallace, Matthew W. Seeger, & Shawn P. McElmurry. (2020). Gender and Presence of Children: Examining Media Uses, Informational Needs, and Source Preferences during the Flint, Michigan, Water Crisis. Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research , 3(2), 141–178. https://doi.org/10.70135/jicrcr.v3i2.33