Information seeking during the COVID-19 pandemic: Application of the risk information seeking and processing model

Background To limit the risk of contracting the coronavirus, it is crucial for individuals to attain accurate COVID-19 related information. Once equipped with such information, they can engage in risk preventive behaviors. Objective Applying the risk information seeking and processing (RISP) model, this study examined the sociopsychological factors predisposing individuals' information-seeking intentions. Methods This study employed a cross-sectional survey design. Using an online survey platform, study participants were recruited from US adults. A total of 510 valid responses were included in the analyses. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted in a hierarchical fashion while controlling for numerous covariates to determine the relationships between the sociopsychological variables and information-seeking intentions. Results Sociodemographic disparities were found in perceptions of COVID-19 risk. Perceived risk of coronavirus infection was higher among females, individuals with a history of COVID-19 symptoms, and those in a lower health status. Individuals' perceived risk provoked affective responses (e.g., worry and fear), which then increased self-perceived information insufficiency. This finding indicated individuals experienced worry and fear after perceiving the risk of coronavirus. Such affective responses made them realize that their current COVID-19 related knowledge was insufficient. Subjective norms were also found to increase information insufficiency. In other words, individuals who desired to comply with others' expectations to acquire knowledge about the risk recognized that their current knowledge about coronavirus was insufficient. Finally, individuals who acknowledged information insufficiency were motivated to seek information about the coronavirus. The relation between information insufficiency and information-seeking intentions was moderated by perceived information gathering capacity, but not by relevant channel beliefs. Conclusions The findings suggest that policy makers and clinicians assist the public in obtaining accurate information from reliable sources.

Risk Information Management and Public Health Crises: An Application of PRISM for Future Practice: Presenter(s): Jennifer Ohs, Saint Louis University, United States

Research during previous public health crises has provided some insight on the public's consumption of health information, as well as their preferred channels for information about crisis directives, and their intent to seek information about preventative measures like vaccines. Research is beginning to address the specific context of information consumption and management during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, more comprehensive, theoretically driven scholarship examining predictors of information seeking and preventative behaviors is needed. Guided by the Planned Risk Information Seeking Model (PRISM;Kahlor, 2010) which proposes that intention to seek information is the result of an individual's perceptions of knowledge insufficiency, risk perceptions (severity and susceptibility), attitudes toward information seeking, and perceived seeking control, this study examined information seeking about COVID-19 risk, transmission, and prevention in May of 2020. Given that older age is a risk factor in the context of COVID-19, age was also considered in the model. A cross-sectional, online survey of a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults (N=510) was conducted. Results: demonstrate some support for the PRISM. Subjective norms and perceived seeking control were related to perception of knowledge insufficiency. Additionally, attitude toward information seeking and perceived seeking control were related to information seeking intention. Finally, age was found to positively influence risk perception. These results have important theoretical and practical value. Part of devising effective public health messages in future public health crises involves understanding information seeking intentions about COVID-19 risk, transmission, and prevention. These Findings: have implications for how public health messages can be tailored in ways that influence publics to manage health information during public health crises, particularly for those most vulnerable. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Patient Education & Counseling is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Information seeking during the COVID-19 pandemic: Application of the risk information seeking and processing model.

BACKGROUND: To limit the risk of contracting the coronavirus, it is crucial for individuals to attain accurate COVID-19 related information. Once equipped with such information, they can engage in risk preventive behaviors. OBJECTIVE: Applying the risk information seeking and processing (RISP) model, this study examined the sociopsychological factors predisposing individuals' information-seeking intentions. METHODS: This study employed a cross-sectional survey design. Using an online survey platform, study participants were recruited from US adults. A total of 510 valid responses were included in the analyses. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted in a hierarchical fashion while controlling for numerous covariates to determine the relationships between the sociopsychological variables and information-seeking intentions. RESULTS: Sociodemographic disparities were found in perceptions of COVID-19 risk. Perceived risk of coronavirus infection was higher among females, individuals with a history of COVID-19 symptoms, and those in a lower health status. Individuals' perceived risk provoked affective responses (e.g., worry and fear), which then increased self-perceived information insufficiency. This finding indicated individuals experienced worry and fear after perceiving the risk of coronavirus. Such affective responses made them realize that their current COVID-19 related knowledge was insufficient. Subjective norms were also found to increase information insufficiency. In other words, individuals who desired to comply with others' expectations to acquire knowledge about the risk recognized that their current knowledge about coronavirus was insufficient. Finally, individuals who acknowledged information insufficiency were motivated to seek information about the coronavirus. The relation between information insufficiency and information-seeking intentions was moderated by perceived information gathering capacity, but not by relevant channel beliefs. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that policy makers and clinicians assist the public in obtaining accurate information from reliable sources.

Interpersonal Communication Influence on Health-Protective Behaviors amid the COVID-19 Crisis.

The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has posed substantial threats to global public health. Individuals are extensively exposed to interpersonal sources of health information (e.g., family, friends, colleagues, physicians, and pharmacists). Interpersonal connections often encourage people to question or reinforce other sources of health information, which can affect their perceptions and behaviors. This study integrates research on how exposure to interpersonal health communication affects people's risk perception and affective responses to influence health-protective behaviors such as health information seeking and adherence to protective measures. Findings from an online survey of U.S. adults (n = 488) demonstrated that risk perception and affective responses serve as behavioral motivation factors. The influences of cognitive and affective responses were greater to the extent that individuals believed the health-protective behaviors are beneficial. Our study illuminates how people engage in preventive health behaviors to protect themselves in the COVID-19 context and demonstrates the influence of interpersonal social networks in motivating such behaviors. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Poly Social Media Use: Roles of Informational Norms and Emotion Regulation.

ABSTRACTDrawing on the Planned Risk Information Seeking Model (PRISM), research on social norms in communication, and literature on emotion regulation, the current study examines the relationships among poly social media COVID-19 health information searches, informational norms, and health protective behaviors (further interpersonal information seeking and protective measures) during the pandemic. In addition, we explore the moderating role of negative emotions (i.e. anxiety and fear). A cross-sectional survey (N = 510) during an early phase of COVID-19 suggests that the association between social media use and influenced behaviors functions to the extent that individuals perceive the behaviors are expected norms. Even such a mechanism is valid only in some boundary conditions such as emotional states.

Examining the Theory of Motivated Information Management (TMIM) in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In order to inform understanding of the public's health information management during the COVID-19 pandemic, we applied a modification of TMIM from a serial mediation model to a conditional process model (moderated mediation). In doing so, the current study attempted to refine some of the relational propositions of the original TMIM with a focus on efficacy while addressing the distinction between a mediator and a moderator in a behavioral decision model. Findings from an online survey of U.S. adults (n = 488) demonstrated that anxiety can positively motivate evaluation of information seeking during the COVID-19 pandemic context, a unique context of application for TMIM. Efficacy was found to be qualified as an individual difference variable that moderates the relationships of uncertainty perception and health decision. Our newly proposed conditional process framework of the TMIM opens research directions in health information-seeking and encourages researchers to continuously incorporate updated methodological thought and approach in applying and building communication theory.

Optimistic bias and preventive behavioral engagement in the context of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic presents a global crisis. To remain safe, individuals must take preventive measures. Health behavior theories suggest that perceived risk is a key determinant of engagement in preventive behavior. People often underestimate their risk for disease compared with similar others', a phenomenon known as optimistic bias (OB). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore how OB affected individuals' engagement in COVID-19 preventive behavior/intentions. Based on health behavior theories, this study considered risk perception and risk response as mediators of the relationship between OB and individuals' preventive health behaviors and intentions. METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional survey design. Online survey platforms were used to recruit U.S. adults. A total of 293 valid responses were included in the analyses. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted to determine the relationship of OB to the respondents' health information seeking intention and related behavioral outcomes. RESULTS: Results from the first regression model showed that OB was negatively related to risk perception. In other words, optimistically biased respondents perceived their risk of COVID-19 to be low. The second model demonstrated that perceived risk was related positively to affective responses to risk (e.g., worry and fear). That is, the lower their perceived risk of COVID-19, the less likely respondents were to feel anxiety and fear about this disease. Models 3 and 4 revealed positive relationships between risk response and respondents' intentions and behaviors. Finally, the results supported a fully mediated pathway: OB → risk perception → risk response → information seeking intention and behavioral outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings suggest that by decreasing their perceived risk and subsequent responses, optimistic bias can undermine individuals' motivation to take precautions. To reduce this bias, the actual risk of COVID-19 should be reinforced.