Interpersonal Information Sources Research Articles

The impact of new energy vehicle information sources on mass consumers' purchase intentions: an investigation in China

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the impact and mechanism of new energy vehicle (NEV) information sources (IS) on mass consumers' purchase intentions (PIs) in China.Design/methodology/approachAround 902 valid questionnaires were collected using the questionnaire to analyze the different effects of three types of IS (official, interpersonal and commercial) on mass consumers' PIs. Besides, this study investigates the mechanisms by examining the mediating effect of perceived risk (PR) and the moderating effect of individual differences like age and education level.FindingsThe three types of NEV IS stimulate the PI of mass consumers, but there are some differences, with interpersonal information sources (IISs) having the strongest contribution, followed by official information sources (OISs) and commercial information sources (CISs) the least. Meanwhile, PR plays a mediating role in the effect of NEV IS on mass consumers' PIs, and age and education level moderate the influence paths. Specifically, the moderating effect of age mainly works on the negative impact of PR on PI, while education level moderates the influence of IS on PR.Originality/valueThis study contributes to filling the gaps in the current understanding of the role played by NEV IS in shaping consumer preferences and choices. It provides valuable insights for automotive manufacturers, policymakers and marketers to tailor their marketing strategies and improve information dissemination to effectively promote NEV adoption among mass consumers.

Information Seeking Behaviour of Prisoners in Okekura Maximum Security Prison, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Prisoners are socially isolated people with limited access to friends, family, and information. Incidentally, prisons are meant to serve as a form of punishment for crimes. However, the purpose of a prison term is to assist the offender in making amends for their wrongdoing and preparing them for reintegration into society as decent human beings. Okekura, a maximum-security prison in Nigeria, is located in Ilorin, the state capital of Kwara, and inmates in its custody have a wide range of information requests, many of which are delicate and generally unmet. Interpersonal information sources are mostly used due to a combination of inherent bias and limited access to other information sources. When a person seeks and uses information for a variety of purposes, they are engaging in information seeking. It covers people's information demands, wants, and uses, as well as the impacts that information has on their daily lives. This analysis focuses on the information requirements, sources, and challenges those inmates at the maximum prison in Ilorin encountered when attempting to locate and utilize information.

COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancies: A Spanish-Language Focus Group Analysis in Texas

ABSTRACT COVID-19 related health disparities are prevalent among higher risk populations like the Hispanic community. Vaccination is one readily available public health tool, yet vaccine uptake is lower among minority populations and hesitations and concerns are high. In the present study, interpersonal and media sources of information about COVID-19 were discussed in a series of six focus groups with Spanish-language dominant and bilingual English-Spanish respondents in a large metropolitan area in Texas. Participants reported using legacy media as a main source of information about COVID-19 vaccines and encountered conspiracy theories and misinformation on social media. Using the Health Belief Model as the theoretical lens, we found individuals’ and family members’ perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 played a part in participants wanting to find and get the vaccine. Provider recommendations may have served as cues to action. Ease of receiving the vaccines at church and pharmacies may have served to boost participants self-efficacy. Perceived barriers include vaccine specific reasons such as the fast pace of initial authorization, side effects, and long-term effects along with conspiracy theories. Prevailing information gaps regarding the COVID-19 vaccines and the resulting uncertainty are discussed. Understanding information sources and the trust Hispanic communities place in these sources is important in designing effective health messages.

Associations between Vaccination Behavior and Trust in Information Sources Regarding COVID-19 Vaccines under Emergency Approval in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

We examined the association between COVID-19 vaccination behavior and trust in COVID-19-related information sources during the initial period of COVID-19 vaccination in Japan. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in August 2021, 5 months after the start of COVID-19 vaccination for the general public under emergency approval. Participants were recruited using non-probability quota sampling from among Japanese residents who were under a declared state of emergency. Sociodemographic data, vaccination behavior, and levels of trust in eight media sources of information and three interpersonal information sources were assessed using an online survey form. A total of 784 participants completed the survey. The results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age, household income, underlying medical conditions, and living with family were significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccination behavior. Regarding COVID-19 vaccine information sources, trust in public health experts as a source of media information and primary care physicians as a source of interpersonal information showed significantly positive associations with COVID-19 vaccination behavior (odds ratio [OR] = 1.157, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.017-1.31; OR = 1.076; 95% CI 1.006-1.150, respectively). Increasing trust in public health experts and primary care physicians and disseminating vaccine information from these sources will help promote vaccination under emergency approval.

COVID-19 information and self-protective behaviors among rural communities in tropical forests

BackgroundHealth risk communication plays a key role in promoting self-protective measures, which are critical in suppressing COVID-19 contagion. Relatively little is known about the communication channels used by rural poor populations to learn novel measures and their effectiveness in promoting self-protective behaviors. Behavioral change can be shaped by people’s trust in government institutions which may be differentiated by social identity, including indigeneity.MethodsDuring an early phase of the pandemic, we conducted two telephone surveys with over 460 communities – both Indigenous and mestizo – without road access and limited communication access in the Peruvian Amazon. This is the first report on the association of information sources about self-protective measures against COVID-19 with the adoption of self-protective behaviors in remote rural areas in developing countries.ResultsPeople mainly relied on mass media (radio, television, newspapers) and interpersonal sources (local authorities, health workers, neighbors/relatives) for information and adopted handwashing, mask-wearing, social distancing, and social restrictions to varying degrees. Overall, self-protective behaviors were largely positively and negatively associated with mass media and interpersonal sources, respectively, depending on the source-measure combination. Mistrust of the government seems to have shaped how Indigenous and mestizo peoples distinctively responded to interpersonal information sources and relied on mass media.ConclusionsOur findings call for improved media access to better manage pandemics in rural areas, especially among remote Indigenous communities.

Croatian adolescents’ credibility judgments in making everyday life decisions

The objective of this study was to investigate how high school students judged the credibility of information obtained for help with making everyday life decisions. Semi-structured individual interviews were carried out to reveal what reasons lay behind their belief in the quality, accuracy and helpfulness of the information. The results reveal that the students preferred turning to interpersonal information sources. The information obtained was perceived to be credible in cases when the source had been characterized with attributes that expressed competence and trustworthiness (such as expertise, knowledge and precision). Other important indicators of information credibility in cases of interpersonal information sources were the characteristics that expressed personal trust and the quality of the relationship with the source. Information on social media was judged by socially generated cues that expressed reputation and popularity in the users’ community. Lastly, credibility was verified by checking the consistency of information from multiple sources.

Harnessing an Integrated Health Communication (IHC) Framework for Campaigns: A Case of Prescription Drug Decision Making

ABSTRACT Drawing on a multiplicity of mass media and health behavior theories, we propose an integrated health communication (IHC) framework to understand and leverage the ways in which mass mediated and interpersonal sources of health information influence the public’s health behavior in the context of their prescription drug decisions. Building on the agenda setting theory, two-step flow theory, and the Health Belief Model, we dig into the interrelationships between mass media and interpersonal information sources and information seeking engagement. Employing survey methodology, our framework was tested using a sample of U.S. adults (N = 628). The major results include (a) information gained through interpersonal sources and perceived benefits of the prescription drugs positively and sequentially mediate the association between mass media exposure and intent to seek prescription drug information, (b) interpersonal health information positively moderate the mediation of mass media exposure – perceived benefits – intent to seek prescription drug information, and (c) the inexpert interpersonal information’s positive interaction effect with mass media exposure on intent to seek prescription drug information mediated through perceived benefits was greater with high expert interpersonal communication. These results impart valuable theoretical contributions and have the potential to guide integrated health communication (IHC) campaigns.

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

ABSTRACT 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.

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

ABSTRACT Drawing on a multiplicity of mass media and health behavior theories, we propose an integrated health communication (IHC) framework to understand and leverage the ways in which mass mediated and interpersonal sources of health information influence the public’s health behavior in the context of their prescription drug decisions. Building on the agenda setting theory, two-step flow theory, and the Health Belief Model, we dig into the interrelationships between mass media and interpersonal information sources and information seeking engagement. Employing survey methodology, our framework was tested using a sample of U.S. adults (N=628). The major results include (a) information gained through interpersonal sources and perceived benefits of the prescription drugs positively and sequentially mediate the association between mass media exposure and intent to seek prescription drug information, (b) interpersonal health information positively moderate the mediation of mass media exposure—perceived benefits—intent to seek prescription drug information, and (c) the inexpert interpersonal information’s positive interaction effect with mass media exposure on intent to seek prescription drug information mediated through perceived benefits was greater with high expert interpersonal communication. These results impart valuable theoretical contributions and have the potential to guide integrated health communication (IHC) campaigns.

Resident university students’ everyday-life information seeking behaviour in Pakistan

Introduction. This study seeks to investigate the everyday-life information seeking behaviour of postgraduate students living in the residence halls of the University of the Punjab, Lahore. Method. A critical incident technique, a qualitative research approach, was used in order to achieve its objectives. Face to face interviews of twenty postgraduate students, having a rural background, selected through purposive sampling, using a semi-structured interview approach were conducted. Analysis. The verbal data was organized and analysed using thematic analysis. The important data was coded and grouped for deriving themes. Results. The participants' situations were centred on health, socio-economic, cultural, technological, and legal issues. These students mainly relied on inter-personal information sources in order to resolve their everyday-life issues. The role of university libraries was non-existent in meeting the everyday-life information needs of these participants. Some participants suspected the quality and scope of information received from news and social media. These participants were mostly unsuccessful in accessing needed everyday-life information on time due to lack of information sources. Conclusions. The results have implications for both theory and practice. It extends the scope of the everyday-life information seeking model by adding a new dimension and provides insights into trans-national perspectives. If the everyday-life issues of resident postgraduate university students remained unresolved due to lack of information and institutional support, it might affect their academic achievement and research productivity. Therefore, the university administration should plan on-campus consultancy services within student affairs offices for supporting such students to overcome difficulties in light of their everyday-life information needs. The library staff should also design services to support those provided by the university administration.

Temporal trends in correlates of HIV testing uptake in South Africa: evaluation and population-level impacts of socio-economic factors and information sources

The primary objective of this study was to investigate temporal changes in HIV testing rates and quantify the degree to which these trends can be attributed to certain socio-economic characteristics, as well as exposure to information sources. Data from a nationally representative sample of 30,020 sexually active black Africans who participated in the first, second, third and fourth South African National HIV, Behaviour and Health Surveys conducted in 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2012, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression models and population-attributable risks were calculated for the socio-economic characteristics and the information sources. The socio-economic characteristics of the survey participants remained stable over time, while HIV testing rates increased substantially from 20% in 2002 to 70% in 2012. However, there was little improvement in condom use rates. Combined impact of education, employment and geographical locations were associated with increased levels of HIV testing rates. Most of the survey participants (> 80%) were exposed to several mass-media and interpersonal information sources. The combined impact of mass-media tools on HIV testing rates ranged between 48 and 60%, while 40–50% of the HIV tests were collectively attributed to the interpersonal information sources. We observed significant temporal changes in population-level impacts of several key socio-economic characteristics and information sources on HIV testing rates. Widespread nationwide HIV awareness efforts led to significant increases in access to testing facilities and substantial increases in HIV testing rates over time. However, this increase was not mirrored in condom use behaviour.

Faith in the Research Process: Information Behavior at Claremont School of Theology

Faith significantly affects the educational experience in graduate studies of religion and theology. This study explored the roles of graduate theological students’ religious faith and degree program affiliation in their information behaviors, particularly their degree-related research behaviors at Claremont School of Theology. The purpose was to explore problems in information action inherent to the dichotomy between academic study of theology that leads to Master of Arts (MA) degree and professional study of theology that leads to Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree. The research design incorporated interviews of MA and MDiv students regarding the roles of their religious faith, degree program affiliation and interpersonal information sources in their research processes. Data were collected, coded and analyzed as a lens into the social network of the theological research community. The study found that information behavior does relate to degree program affiliations and students’ religious faith. Degree program affiliation and religious faith background are relevant to graduate theological research processes and may be useful to consider in research consultations and bibliographic instruction in graduate theological education.

Population-level impact of information sources on HIV testing uptake in South Africa: gender and age disparities.

In South Africa, mass media and interpersonal communication sources have been used extensively to increase awareness of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS. A sub-population of 10,565 black Africans who participated in the 2011–2012 household survey was analysed. Overall compared to men, a higher proportion of women had ever been tested for HIV (76% versus 60%). In age-specific analysis, men and women aged 25–49 years were more likely to be ever been tested compared to the youngest (<25 years) and the oldest age groups (50+ years). More than 80% of the study population was exposed to mass media tools, while exposure to interpersonal information sources was less common (16–72%). Among adolescents, 37% (men) and 41% (women) of the HIV tests were collectively associated with exposure to interpersonal programmes, while mass media tools had substantial contributions on HIV testing rates among the older individuals. Information sources to promote HIV/AIDS awareness should be tailored to reduce age–gender disparities.

Knowledge, help-seeking and efficacy to find respite services: an exploratory study in help-seeking carers of people with dementia in the context of aged care reforms

BackgroundResearch highlights the need for carers of people with dementia to acquire relevant and timely information to assist them to access appropriate respite services. Unfortunately, negative experiences of information-seeking can create additional stress for carers and contribute to delays in up-take, or not using respite services at all.MethodsCross-sectional survey data was collected from a convenience sample of n = 84 carers of older people with dementia living in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region of NSW, Australia. We assessed knowledge, attitudes, information seeking behaviours, and unmet need for respite services in 2016, following national aged care reforms.ResultsOver the previous 12 months, 86% of carers sought respite service information. The majority (73%) of all carers reported an unmet need for respite services, and were relying on personal networks to provide support for respite information. Few utilised the new government gateway ‘My Aged Care’ phone line (11%) or website (25%). However, 35% used a pre-existing helpline to access short term or emergency respite. We found a preference for interpersonal information sources, including local doctor (65%), professionally and volunteer led carer support groups (49%), and family and friends (46%). Those using four or more information sources showed higher capacity to name local respite services. Respite service information seekers were more likely to be caring for someone with behavioural problems, to have received assistance to access services, and to have used respite services in the past 3 to 6 months.ConclusionsNew reforms in the Australian aged care sector have not adequately responded to the needs of carers of people with dementia for respite service information and support. Wider, community-based messaging promoting positive service options and the provision of active personal support is required to address the unmet need for respite in carers of people with dementia.

The information behaviours of maximum security prisoners

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to advance the understanding of the information behaviours of prisoners, providing insight into their information needs and information-seeking preferences, and the factors influencing their behaviours; to inform education and rehabilitation programmes.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is an in-depth qualitative study. The theoretical framework was provided via Chatman’s (1996) concepts of information poverty. Participants were adult male prisoners in a Scottish maximum security prison, and prison staff. Data collection method was semi-structured interviews.FindingsPrisoners have a broad range of information needs, many sensitive and many unmet. Interpersonal information sources are predominantly used due to a combination of natural preference and restricted access to other information sources. Issues of stigma and trust influence information behaviours. Further issues include restrictive social norms, and disinformation to incite violence. A significant degree of risk is therefore inherent within interpersonal information interactions, fostering self-protective acts of secrecy and deception amongst prisoners. Unmet emotional needs appear particularly problematic.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper highlights the need for further research exploring issues of unmet emotional needs in prisoners; in particular, assistive methods of need recognition and support in the problematic context.Practical implicationsThe paper identifies significant unmet information needs in prisoners that impact upon their ability to cope with incarceration, and prepare for successful release and reintegration.Originality/valueThe paper addresses an understudied group of significant societal concern and advances the understanding of information need in context, providing insight into unmet needs and issues of affect in the incarcerated small world context.

The Relationship of Health Beliefs with Information Sources and HPV Vaccine Acceptance among Young Adults in Korea.

Despite the HPV vaccine’s efficacy in preventing cervical cancer, its coverage rates among Asians are very low. To increase immunization coverage among these populations, understanding the psychological factors that affect HPV acceptability is critical. To this end, this study examined the relationships between multidimensional health beliefs and HPV vaccine acceptance, and what information sources effectively foster HPV vaccination-related health beliefs. Data were collected using a survey of 323 undergraduate students in Korea. Results showed that perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and perceived vaccine safety concerns predicted vaccine acceptance. Multiple dimensions of perceived barriers showed differing impacts on vaccine acceptance. In addition, interpersonal information sources were effective in boosting various health beliefs for HPV vaccination. The Internet also was effective in reducing social barriers, but the effects were opposite to those of social media. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Understanding Adolescents’ Sexual Behaviour in Ghana: Information Sources and Their Effects

In Ghana, research reports indicate that parent–child communication on sex education is generally lacking even though sexual matters are among the popular topics for conversation, gossip, popular music, dance and jokes. Attempts are made by a few schools to incorporate sex education into topics in Biology, Social Studies and Core Science. This is, however, done on few occasions, and consequently adolescents have insufficient knowledge about the consequences of sexual behaviours. This results in early initiation into sex by many adolescents who copy blindly from TV and from the Internet undesirable sexual behaviours leading to undesirable consequences. This implies that the sources from which adolescents obtain sex information can affect their sexual behaviour. To find out the effect of sex information sources on adolescent sexual behaviour, a survey questionnaire was administered to a probabilistic sample of 340 students and followed with focus group discussions. Descriptive statistics and multiple regressions were used to analyze the data. The results showed a strong positive correlation between interpersonal sources of sex-related information and age at first sexual encounter. The study, therefore, provided the bases for recommendations for policy and practice.

Information activities of commercial taxi drivers in Saki, Nigeria

Information behaviour of people differs according to the nature of their tasks and other activities they engage in. Therefore, the study of information behaviour is essential for different classes of individuals in the society. This study investigated the information behaviour of commercial taxi drivers in Saki, Nigeria. Survey design was adopted. Thirty-five taxi drivers were interviewed. The drivers had a variety of information needs, ranging from general information to specific information about their jobs. Interpersonal sources of information, which include discussion with friends, colleagues, and family members, were the preferred sources of information. They listened to radio and watched television, but at a very minimal level. The low educational status of the drivers was identified as a major cause of their reliance on interpersonal sources of information. The taxi drivers shared information among themselves during meetings, relaxation periods, and casual discussions. The use of the Internet to seek and share information was rare among the drivers.

Assessing the information seeking behaviour and utilization of rice farmers in the Ejisu-Juaben municipality of Ashanti Region of Ghana

BackgroundA significant gap exists between advances in technologies in agriculture and what Ghanaian farmers practice on their farms. This paper examines rice farmers’ information seeking behaviour and the determinants of information utilization at Ejisu-Juaben Municipality of Ashanti region of Ghana.MethodsUsing a two-stage sampling technique, a total of 109 rice farmers were selected for the study. The probit model was used to examine information seeking behaviour and the determinants of information utilization.ResultsThe results showed that most of the respondents were literate and relied on interpersonal information sources. The major type of information received was on agronomic practices, and majority of the respondents utilized the information received. Respondents’ information seeking behaviour and utilization was found to be high which implied rice farmers are willing to utilize information received to improve their productivity and incomes. The results further signify that to enhance the use of information among farmers for relevant production activities such as fertilizer application, pesticide application, disease and weed control will require investments in extension services, increasing farmers’ access to education, targeting farmers with larger farm sizes, and higher rice yields. These factors have the potential to enhance information seeking and utilization for enhanced rice productivity in Ghana. Majority of the respondents are willing to pay for their preferred information needs. The constraints limiting rice farmers’ information seeking behaviour and utilization were the inadequate extension agents and lack of agricultural information services in the communities.ConclusionIt is recommended that the Government improve access to extension services by employing more extension workers to provide the necessary training support to farmers.

The demobilizing potential of interpersonal conflict in the Pacific

AbstractUsing the case of Guam, the present study examines the politically demobilizing potential of conflict avoidance in the Pacific. An analysis of data from a probability-based mail survey of registered voters (N = 319) in Guam revealed that conflict avoidance is inversely associated with political participation, civic engagement, and attention to interpersonal sources of information on a political issue. An inverse relationship between conflict avoidance and attention to the Internet as a source of information on a political issue was also approaching statistical significance. However, conflict avoidance was not associated with neighborliness. Implications are discussed.