This article presents the results of content categorisation and measurement of the effects of YouTube videos released publicly by commercial entities during the pandemic. The videos in question contain inspirational content concerning prosocial behaviour in response to COVID-19 and are released through the big companies’ official YouTube accounts. In the first study, the authors analysed the content of videos from various companies. While the videos encompassed different presentations of actions taken and messages expressing optimism, those that conveyed empathetic communication and human values were predominantly featured. We categorised the findings into action-oriented, human values–oriented and empathic-oriented content for the selection of videos in the subsequent study. In the subsequent experimental study, aimed at understanding the effects, we asked participants to watch and evaluate the videos selected from the initial study. The results demonstrated that empathic-oriented content had the highest impact on individuals, leading to increases in five measures of inspiration: aspiring to become a better person, engaging in acts of kindness towards others, seeking what truly matters in life, striving to live a more fulfilling life and aligning personal goals.

中文翻译：

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大流行期间通过鼓舞人心的 YouTube 视频建立乐观情绪：实证检验

本文介绍了疫情期间商业实体公开发布的 YouTube 视频的内​​容分类和效果衡量结果。这些视频包含有关应对 COVID-19 的亲社会行为的鼓舞人心的内容，并通过大公司的官方 YouTube 帐户发布。在第一项研究中，作者分析了来自不同公司的视频内容。虽然这些视频包含了不同的行动展示和表达乐观的信息，但那些传达同理心沟通和人类价值观的视频占据了主导地位。我们将研究结果分为行动导向、人类价值观导向和共情导向内容，以供后续研究中视频的选择。在随后的实验研究中，为了了解效果，我们要求参与者观看并评估从初始研究中选择的视频。结果表明，以同理心为导向的内容对个人影响最大，导致五项灵感指标的增加：渴望成为更好的人、对他人友善、寻求生活中真正重要的事情、努力过上更好的生活。更充实的生活并调整个人目标。