Effects of experts on the coupling dynamics of complex contagion of awareness and epidemic spreading

The impact of social influence on the dynamic of awareness diffusion and epidemic spreading has been researched adequately, while the feedback effect of individuals on social influence does not receive enough attention. In this study, we sought to propose a model composed of a two-layer network with complex awareness. Initially, we design expert nodes based on regret theory to characterize social influence and symmetrical interaction, including the impact of experts and the feedback of individuals. Then, we describe the social structure in the form of the simple contagion model and consider the superposition effect. According to the microscopic Markov chain approach (MMCA) derivation, a clear association emerges between epidemic threshold and complex awareness diffusion. Extensive numerical simulations reveal two implications: (1) Widening the channels of information dissemination could contribute to epidemic prevention; (2) Intensifying the recurrent diffusion of complex social awareness is beneficial to epidemic control.