Predictors Of Information Seeking Research Articles

Interactions among Actual Uncertainty, Desired Uncertainty, and Uncertainty Discrepancy on Anxiety and Information Seeking

This study investigated the role of uncertainty in information management processes by integrating insights from uncertainty management theory and the theory of motivated information management. Specifically, we examined the extent to which uncertainty appraisals moderated the effects of uncertainty on anxiety and information seeking about family health history (FHH) from spouses. Data from 626 married individuals suggested that desired uncertainty moderated uncertainty’s effect on anxiety such that uncertainty led to more anxiety when individuals wanted to be more certain. Uncertainty also exerted stronger effects on anxiety and information seeking when one’s actual uncertainty was low. Efficacy remained a predictor of information seeking, consistent with the literature. Findings offer theoretical implications about the interaction effects among different conceptualizations of uncertainty (i.e., actual, desired, and uncertainty discrepancy) and practical applications for encouraging information seeking about FHH.

Information seeking in the context of cigarette smoking: predictors from the Comprehensive Model of Information Seeking (CMIS)

ABSTRACT Background: The CMIS indicates that key variables in actively obtaining information on cigarette smoking are demographics, direct experience, salience, and beliefs, which affects subsequent evaluations and utility of information. Method: Cross-sectional data were drawn from the HINTS-FDA 2015 national survey in which a stratified random sample of the U.S. postal addresses (N = 3,738) self-administered a mailed paper questionnaire. Path analysis was conducted to test the CMIS. Results: Age, income, education, sexual orientation, beliefs about behavior change, and salience are significant predictors of perceived utility of information.Direct predictors of information seeking on health effects are comprehension of information (β = .06, 95% CI: .02-.09, p < .05), trust in information sources (β = .23, 95% CI: .18-.276, p < .01), and confidence in obtaining information (β = .10, 95% CI: .047-.160, p < .05). The final model produced fit indices of c2 = 356.48, df = 24, CFI = .91, RMSEA = .061 (95% CI: .055-.067), R2 = .098. Conclusions: The CMIS is a valid theoretical framework in predicting information seeking on cigarette smoking. This study closes a gap in the literature by addressing key factors simultaneously that influence information seeking on health effects and cessation of cigarette smoking.

Applying Situational Theory of Problem Solving in Cancer Information Seeking: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of 2014 HINTS Survey

Informed by the Situational Theory of Problem Solving (STOPS), this study used data from the Health Information National Trends Survey, a large and representative national sample, to examine predictors of information seeking and information accessing of health information, including cancer-related information. We found that the independent variables in STOPS—problem recognition, involvement recognition, and referent criterion— well predicted people’s information seeking of cancer-related information and accessing of health information on line. However, the impact of trust in online health information was more complicated than anticipated. Our study demonstrated the utility of the STOPS in the health information context. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Uncertainty and information-seeking patterns: A test of competing hypotheses in the context of health care reform

ABSTRACTThis article integrates three uncertainty frameworks (i.e., uncertainty reduction, motivation to reduce uncertainty, predicted outcome value) to examine the relationship between uncertainty and information seeking in the context of health care reform. The study consisted of a pretest to assess model variables, tracking of online information seeking (by monitoring website use), and a posttest. Results indicate predicted outcome value theory is the best predictor of information seeking, which is subsequently associated with greater certainty and information recall. The data suggest uncertainty alone is not enough to motivate information seeking; individuals must perceive information to have appreciable value in order to spend time seeking it. Theoretical and practical applications, as well as avenues for future research, are presented.

Predictors of Information Seeking about the HPV Vaccine From Parents and Doctors Among Young College Women

This study applied the theory of motivated information management (TMIM) to predict young women's intentions to seek information about the HPV vaccine from their doctors and parents. A sample of 215 women aged 18–25 who have not yet received their HPV vaccinations completed a survey measuring their HPV and cervical cancer risk perceptions, TMIM-related variables (i.e., uncertainty discrepancy, anxiety, outcome expectancy, efficacy, information-seeking intent), and HPV vaccination intentions. Results indicate that positive outcome expectancies, anxiety about uncertainty discrepancy, and HPV risk perception were significant predictors of HPV vaccine information-seeking intent, which in turn predicted HPV vaccination intent.

Understanding Immigrant Women's Information Needs: Role of Acculturation in Breast Cancer Prevention among Immigrant Asian Indian Women

Asian immigrants have higher breast cancer rates compared to counterparts in their native countries. Little is known about psychosocial factors pertaining to their breast health. We sought to understand how acculturation moderates the relationship between anxiety and breast cancer-related outcomes among immigrant Asian Indian women. Surveys and in-person interviews were conducted among a sample of immigrant Indian women. Acculturation was a significant predictor of information seeking, frequency of mammograms, and clinical breast exams. There was also a significant Anxiety×Acculturation interaction effect on information seeking. The relationship between anxiety and information seeking was particularly acute for high, as compared to average, level of acculturation. When designing interventions for immigrants, it is important for health communication campaigns to take into account two critical factors: acculturation and anxiety of the audience. Anxiety among highly acculturated women appears to suppress information seeking, and thus ameliorating their anxiety becomes key.

Threat and Efficacy Uncertainty in News Coverage About Bed Bugs as Unique Predictors of Information Seeking and Avoidance: An Extension of the EPPM

An experiment was conducted from the perspective of the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) investigating readers' responses to print news stories about the issue of bed bugs. Stories containing reference to (a) the threat of bed bugs and (b) efficacy of the solution were manipulated to vary the level of certainty with which the variables were discussed. Results suggest that stories referencing uncertainty regarding presence of the bed-bug threat may be more likely to motivate intention to seek information than stories referencing certainty of the threat. Results also suggest that stories referencing uncertainty regarding feasibility/effectiveness of proposed solutions may be more likely to motivate intention to avoid information than stories referencing certainty of proposed solutions. Given that information avoidance is one of various types of maladaptive responses to fear appeal messages (according to EPPM), results suggest that the presence of uncertainty when discussing solutions to threats in news stories might result in problematic avoidance responses that discourage people from taking protective action.

Seeking and Processing Influenza Vaccine Information: A Study of Health Care Workers at a Large Urban Hospital

In response to low influenza vaccination rates among health care workers, health officials have explored determinants of uptake and developed communication interventions. Key to these efforts is how workers seek and attend to vaccine information. We applied a model of risk information seeking and processing to survey 226 physicians and nurses at a large, urban hospital (response rate = 5.7%; cooperation rate = 91.5%). Our goals were to (1) apply the model to a new setting, audience, and issue and (2) explore novel concepts (e.g., source credibility and information usefulness) and moderating relationships among variables. Consistent with previous research, information subjective norms—perceived social pressure to remain informed about vaccination—were a strong predictor of information seeking and systematic processing. Neither source credibility nor information usefulness independently increased explained variance, although they moderated the relationship between norms and communication behavior. We discuss theoretical and practical implications of these findings.

The Role of Adoption Communicative Openness in Information Seeking Among Adoptees From Adolescence to Emerging Adulthood

Adoption Communicative Openness was examined as a predictor of information seeking from adolescence to emerging adulthood in a group of adoptees who did not have direct contact with birth relatives during adolescence. Changes in information seeking intentions and behaviors between adolescence and emerging adulthood were also examined. Data from 119 infant-placed adoptees and their adoptive mothers were used from Waves 2 (1996–2000) and 3 (2005–2008) of the Minnesota-Texas Adoption Research Project (Grotevant & McRoy, 1998). Adoptive mothers' Communicative Openness was positively associated with degree of information seeking in emerging adulthood. Degree of information seeking between adolescence (Wave 2) and emerging adulthood (Wave 3) increased for the majority of adoptees (62.2%). Approximately 16% of adoptees experienced no change in information seeking and 22% of adoptees experienced a decrease in information seeking. Females were more likely to exhibit a greater increase in information seeking change between Waves 2 and 3 and information seeking at Wave 3 than males. Results suggest that adoptee information seeking is a dynamic process that takes place over several life stages and that open communication about adoption within the adoptive family supports adoptee information seeking.

Information needs and information seeking in primary care: a study of nurse practitioners.

The objective was to understand the information-related behavior of nurse practitioners (NPs), a population of clinicians responsible for an increasing proportion of primary care. Two phases of data collection addressed seven research questions. The initial phase of data collection was a questionnaire sent to 300 NPs, who were asked to report their experiences of needing information as a result of patient encounters as well as their experiences of seeking information. The second phase of data collection entailed a series of interviews with twenty NPs following their encounters with patients to collect data on instances of information needs and information seeking. NPs most frequently needed information related to drug therapy and diagnosis. NPs with a master's degree were found to perceive information needs more frequently than their colleagues who had not received a master's degree. The information resources NPs used most frequently were consultations with colleagues, drug reference manuals, and textbooks and protocol manuals. NPs were more likely to pursue needs related to drug therapy with a print resource and needs related to diagnosis with a colleague. The generalizability of a need emerged as a negative predictor of information seeking. This study has addressed a number of questions about the information-related behavior of NPs in primary care practices and led to the development of a temporal model of information seeking in these settings. Results of this research underscore the importance of access to information resources in primary care practices. This study's findings also support the development of educational and outreach programs to promote evidence-based decision making among primary care clinicians.