View Profile Page

Profile

My research centers on the influence of health information on personal health decisions. Within this context, I focus on two distinct areas. The first area of investigation addresses factors that drive users to seek out and use digital health information. This work has recently expanded to address problematic health misinformation that individuals receive and share via social media. Secondly, I examine the persuasive impact of different health message strategies, including framing and evidence type appeals. Overall, my research addresses central public health issues, including obesity/weight loss, smoking, breast cancer, and most recently, COVID-19-related preventive behaviors (social distancing, mask-wearing, vaccine intentions). These health contexts are assessed within a broader framework of the role of technology in health decision-making. I continue to be motivated to identify how mediated health messages can educate and empower individuals to make more informed health choices and maintain a positive mental and physical well-being.


Selected Publications:

McKinley, C. J., & Lauby, F. (2025). Why French Parents Unintentionally Share False Childhood Vaccine Information Online: Examining the Interrelationship Between Social Media Judgments and Sociocultural Perceptions. Mass Communication and Society, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/15205436.2025.2589983

McKinley, C. J., & Limbu, Y. (2023). Promoter or barrier? Assessing how social media predicts Covid-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy: A systematic review of primary series and booster vaccine investigations. Social Science & Medicine, 340, 116378.

McKinley, C. J., & Lauby, F. (2021). Anti-vaccine beliefs and COVID-19 information seeking on social media: Examining processes influencing COVID-19 beliefs and preventative actions. International Journal of Communication, 15, 4252–4274.

McKinley, C. J., & Limbu, Y. B., Jayachandran, C. N. (2017). The Influence of Statistical versus Exemplar Appeals on Indian Adults’ Health Intentions: An Investigation of Direct Effects and Intervening Persuasion Processes. Health Communication, 32, 427-437.

McKinley, C. J., Luo, Y., & Wright, P., & Kraus, A. (2016). Problem gambling messages on college counseling center websites: An over-time and cross-country comparison. Journal of Gambling Studies, 32, 307-325.

McKinley, C. J., Luo, Y., & Wright, P., & Kraus, A. (2015). Re-examining LGBT Resources on College Counseling Center Websites: An Over-time and Cross-country Analysis. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 43, 112-129.

McKinley, C. J., & Ruppel, E. (2014). Exploring how perceived threat and self-efficacy
contribute to college students’ use and perceptions of online mental health resources. Computers in Human Behavior, 34, 101-109.

McKinley, C. J., & Wright, P. (2014). Informational support and online information seeking: Examining the association between factors contributing to healthy eating behavior. Computers in Human Behavior, 37, 107-116.

McKinley, C. J., & Wright, P. (2012). Examining the presence of problem gambling awareness messages on college counseling center websites. Health Communication, 27, 98-106.

McKinley, C. J. (2009). Investigating the Influence of Threat Appraisals and Social Support on Healthy Eating Behavior and Drive for Thinness. Health Communication, 24, 735-745.
\s

Specialization

Dr. McKinley serves as the Chairperson for the Department of Communication and Media Studies. The courses he teaches include, Misinformation and Society, Media Effects, Introduction to Health Communication, and E-Health Communication. The aim of these courses is for students to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become health communication specialists, health advocates, and/or health marketing professionals.

Current courses taught:

Emerging Technologies and Health Communication
Description: This course examines the importance of new media technologies as both a tool for citizens to manage their health and for the health care industry to promote products and services. The class examines how users perceive online health information as well as the factors that motivate online health seeking behavior. In addition, students will explore the various health benefits and limitations of social media, online support groups, health blogs, and mobile health technologies. Finally, students will evaluate and critique the web marketing strategies used by health care organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and other companies involved in the health industry. Overall, students will learn how to maximize technology to foster greater health education and to increase consumer awareness of different health care options.

Misinformation and Society
Description: This course examines the role of misinformation in modern society. In particular, we examine the historical and conceptual roots of this phenomenon and then explore its role across various contexts including: politics, health, and racial/ethnic stereotypes

Resume/CV

Links

Montclair State University does not endorse the views or opinions expressed in a faculty member's webpage or website. Consistent with the principles of academic freedom, the content provided is that of the author and does not express the opinions or views of Montclair State University.

• Scholarship and Creative Works @ Digital Commons