Title: The Role of Anxiety in Seeking and Retaining Risk Information: Testing the Risk Perception Attitude Framework in Two Studies
Abstract: Human Communication ResearchVolume 32, Issue 2 p. 130-156 The Role of Anxiety in Seeking and Retaining Risk Information: Testing the Risk Perception Attitude Framework in Two Studies Monique Mitchell Turner, Monique Mitchell Turner Department of Communication, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742Search for more papers by this authorRajiv N. Rimal, Corresponding Author Rajiv N. Rimal Department of Health Policy and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205Monique M. Turner; email: [email protected] for more papers by this authorDaniel Morrison, Daniel Morrison Department of Communication Studies, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712Search for more papers by this authorHyojin Kim, Hyojin Kim Department of Advertising, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611Search for more papers by this author Monique Mitchell Turner, Monique Mitchell Turner Department of Communication, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742Search for more papers by this authorRajiv N. Rimal, Corresponding Author Rajiv N. Rimal Department of Health Policy and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205Monique M. Turner; email: [email protected] for more papers by this authorDaniel Morrison, Daniel Morrison Department of Communication Studies, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712Search for more papers by this authorHyojin Kim, Hyojin Kim Department of Advertising, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611Search for more papers by this author First published: 18 April 2006 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2958.2006.00006.xCitations: 14 The research reported in this paper was conducted at the University of Texas, Austin, whose Institutional Review Board approved the study. Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Abstract Despite the importance of health information seeking, not all people engage in such behaviors, especially when thinking about the disease is distressing. The focus of this paper is to examine the antecedents of information seeking and retention. Based on individuals’ risk perception and efficacy beliefs, the risk perception attitude framework is used to formulate four groups: responsive (high risk, high efficacy), avoidance (high risk, low efficacy), proactive (low risk, high efficacy), and indifference (low risk, low efficacy). In Study 1, a 2 (risk) × 2 (efficacy) between-subjects experiment, participants’ perceived risk to skin cancer and skin cancer–related efficacy beliefs were induced to determine their information seeking, retention, and intentions to engage in future seeking. The responsive group, as predicted, was associated with the most information-seeking behaviors and information-seeking intentions. The avoidance group, however, sought information but exhibited the lowest retention scores. These results were used to derive two predictions—the incredulity hypothesis and the anxiety-reduction hypothesis—that were then tested in Study 2. Study 2, also a 2 (risk) × 2 (efficacy) between-subjects experiment dealing with diabetes, found support for the anxiety-reduction hypothesis, which argues that the high-risk, low-efficacy group experiences more anxiety, which leads to high motivations to seek, but lower ability to retain information. Citing Literature Volume32, Issue2April 2006Pages 130-156 RelatedInformation
Publication Year: 2006
Publication Date: 2006-04-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 215
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