Online InformationSeeking and Disease Prevention Intent During COVID-19 Outbreak

Guided by the risk information seeking and processing (RISP) model, this study aims to examine the key determinants that predispose individuals' online information seeking behavior and prevention intent during the COVID-19 outbreak. Through an online survey with 741 respondents in China, results indicate that affective responses, informational subjective norms, and information insufficiency are positively related to online information seeking about COVID-19. Furthermore, online information seeking is positively associated with prevention intent, and attitude toward prevention partially mediates this association. Finally, theoretical and practical implications of this study are discussed in the context of COVID-19.

Automated summary

This study examines the determinants of individuals' online information seeking behavior and prevention intent during the COVID-19 outbreak based on the RISP model. Results from an online survey with 741 respondents in China indicate that affective responses, informational subjective norms, and information insufficiency are positively related to online information seeking about COVID-19. Furthermore, online information seeking is positively associated with prevention intent, and attitude toward prevention partially mediates this association.