The Health Risks of Information Avoidance: A RISP Perspective

Using national online panel survey data (N = 1,000) in South Korea, this study applied the Risk Information Seeking and Processing (RISP) model to examine how people are motivated to seek information about obesity. We added autonomous motivation and health consciousness to the RISP model to investigate their association with health information seeking behavior about obesity. We proposed that information seeking is influenced by information insufficiency, autonomous motivation that is associated with health consciousness, and negative affective response that is related to subjective norm and risk perception. Using structural equation modeling analysis, this study largely supported our hypotheses. The results revealed associations among the socio-psychological variables that predict information seeking behavior on obesity. We found that information insufficiency, autonomous motivation, and negative affective responses appeared to be strong predictors in seeking obesity-related information. These findings have practical implications for health communication efforts in an emerging obesity risk country.

This study attempted to examine what factors might motivate Chinese international students, the fastest growing ethnic student group in the United States, to seek and process information about potential health risks from eating American-style food. This goal was accomplished by applying the Risk Information Seeking and Processing (RISP) model to this study. An online 2 (severity: high vs. low) × 2 (coping strategies: present vs. absent) between-subjects experiment was conducted via Qualtrics to evaluate the effects of the manipulated variables on the dependent variables of interest as well as various relationships proposed in the RISP model. A convenience sample of 635 participants was recruited online. Data were analyzed primarily using structural equation modeling (SEM) in AMOS 21.0 with maximum likelihood estimation. The final conceptual model has a good model fit to the data given the sample size. The results showed that although the experimentally manipulated variables failed to cause any significant differences in individuals’ perceived severity and self-efficacy, this study largely supported the RISP model’s propositions about the sociopsychological factors that explain individual variations in information seeking and processing. More specifically, the findings indicated a prominent role of informational subjective norms and affective responses (both negative and positive emotions) in predicting individuals’ information seeking and processing. Future implications and limitations are also discussed.

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is an infectious, zoonotic disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis that can spread between domestic and wild animals, as well as to humans. The disease is characterized by the progressive development of lesions that compromise the victim's lungs and lymph system. The disease was first identified in northwest Minnesota in both cattle and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in 2005. Due to its risks to human and animal health, bTB has numerous implications related to population management, policy outcomes, stakeholder relations, and economic impacts. When dealing with complicated risks, like bTB, individuals often seek out and process information as a method to learn about, and cope, with the risk. We developed a questionnaire that adapted components of the Risk Information Seeking and Processing (RISP) model and surveyed northwest Minnesota deer hunters. Our objectives were to better understand how stakeholders perceive and act on information regarding disease management in wildlife and to understand the utility of the RISP model for such management contexts. We drew a random proportional sample of licensed deer hunters (n = 2100) from the area affected by bTB and conducted a multi-contact mail survey. We found that 43% of the variability in the information-seeking behaviors of respondents was explained by demographics, hunting importance, personal risk perceptions, attitudes, and subjective norms. However, these results are largely attributable to the factors in the RISP model encompassed by components of the Theory of Planned Behavior (i.e., attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intentions). This information can help managers contextualize individuals' perceived risks to better frame communication efforts to address stakeholder concerns and develop best practices for disease communication. While the state of Minnesota is currently considered free of bTB, future outbreaks remain possible in Minnesota and elsewhere. Understanding the key factors in the processes through which deer hunters seek out information pertaining to the disease can help managers collect the data necessary to aid decisions about desired future management outcomes. In addition, testing RISP model performance in applied research improves its future use across a broad spectrum of topics throughout veterinary disease management.

The current study examined e-cigarette users’ risk information avoidance (i.e., RIA), which is a significant challenge to e-cigarette risk communication. Applying and extending previous RIA studies and the risk information seeking and processing (RISP) model, this study identified the predictors of e-cigarette users’ RIA with a comprehensive model that incorporated new roles for scientific uncertainty and relevant channel beliefs. Responses collected from an online survey were analyzed (N = 593) and support was found for two pathways that explain e-cigarette users’ motivation for RIA. One suggests heightened risk perceptions were associated with strong negative affective responses that include fear, anger, sadness, and guilt. These affective responses, in turn, were positively associated with RIA intentions. The second was a direct, positive association between scientific uncertainty and RIA as well as an indirect path mediated by relevant channel beliefs. More specifically, scientific uncertainty was negatively associated with quality perceptions of e-cigarette information making it more likely e-cigarette users would avoid it. Suggestions for how to prevent or mitigate these processes that result in e-cigarette users’ maladaptive response of RIA are discussed.

Purpose Foodborne illnesses significantly impact public health and economic losses, highlighting the need for effective food risk analysis and communication strategies. This study aimed to enrich and validate the food Risk Information Seeking and Processing (RISP) model for foodborne diseases in the United States. Design/methodology/approach An online questionnaire using a non-probability opt-in sample was used to collect 1,013 consumers in the United States and analysed through structural equation modelling (SEM). Findings Results indicated that higher subjective knowledge and previous experience with foodborne diseases increased the perception of these food risks as significant threats. Social pressures, perceived information-gathering capacity and perceptions that more information encouraged information-seeking and systematic as well as heuristic processing. Also, trust in information channels was crucial. The structural model explained 48.4% of the variance in information seeking, 54.1% in systematic processing and 7.8% in heuristic processing. Originality/value Our study is the first to apply SEM to the RISP model for foodborne diseases in the United States, examining both information seeking and processing behaviours. Our findings help develop targeted food risk communication strategies in the United States that enhance public awareness of food risks, promote systematic information processing and encourage preventive behaviours to mitigate potential foodborne illnesses impacts.

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

Introduction Spirituality has been recognized as a potential coping mechanism and source of strength for some students. However, its relationship with academic resilience remains underexplored, especially among South African students. This study aimed to explore the relationship between spirituality and academic resilience among university undergraduate students at a South African university. Methods A correlational research design was employed, using a web-based questionnaire that combined the Daily Spiritual Experience Scale and the Academic Resilience Scale-30, which included adaptive help seeking, academic reflecting, academic perseverance, negative affect and emotional response and academic reflecting. The Academic Resilience Framework was used as a guiding theoretical framework for this study, supported by theoretical perspectives on spirituality and self-transcendence theory. Data was collected from 420 North-West University undergraduate students, aged between 18 years and older, with stratified random sampling employed (post ad hoc ) on the analysis. Data was analyzed using descriptive analysis and inferential analysis that included bivariate correlation, hierarchical multiple regression, and structural equation modeling to test the study’s hypotheses. Results The results of bivariate correlation indicated that spirituality was positively correlated with perseverance, help-seeking, and academic resilience total scores but negatively associated with negative effects. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis results also indicated a positive relationship between spirituality, academic perseverance, academic reflection, adaptive help-seeking, and academic resilience but a negative relationship with negative affect and emotional response. Furthermore, results showed a positive relationship between spirituality and academic resilience in females than in their male counterparts and a negative relationship in participants aged between 18 and 21. Conclusion The study concluded that there was a positive correlation between spirituality, academic perseverance, academic reflection, and adaptive help-seeking, and academic resilience; however, it was negatively associated with negative effects. It is important for universities and healthcare professionals working with the student population to consider an individual’s spiritual dimension in their programs.

Virtual reality (VR) offers a safe, immersive environment for medical training, but some users remain skeptical about a broader implementation. Our study aims to explore how personality traits, affective responses, and task-related perceptions correlate with attitudes towards VR-based medical emergency training. Forty-seven medical students participated in a 30-minute VR emergency training. Personality traits were assessed using the short version of the Big Five Inventory beforehand, while affective responses (using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, PANAS), stress, and motivation were measured before and after the training. Participants also rated the sessions' difficulty, cognitive challenge, and technical maturity of the VR program and their acceptance of VR for training and examination purposes. Cluster analysis identified three groups: Cluster 1, characterized by low technical affinity, limited prior VR experience, and high extraversion, demonstrated the greatest increase in negative affective responses and the lowest VR acceptance. In contrast, cluster 3, with high technical affinity and neuroticism, experienced more positive affective responses and increased motivation, expressing high acceptance of VR for training purposes but some reservation regarding its use in examinations. Cluster 2 displayed balanced affective responses and strong support for VR use in both settings. Thematic analysis identified perceived lack of control due to insufficient medical knowledge, technical issues, and simulation sickness as sources of negative affective responses. In conclusion, personality and affective responses may play a significant role in shaping the attitude towards VR training applications. Uncovering emotional barriers to VR adoption among skeptical users and understanding their underlying reasons may inform future strategies for overcoming them. Given the relatively small sample size, results of this preliminary study should be expanded through further examination of diverse populations and a broader range of VR applications.

Grounded in the risk information seeking and processing (RISP) model, this study investigated how individual characteristics and socio-psychological factors influenced Americans' information seeking about the Monkeypox (Mpox) outbreak. The RISP model proposes that one's cognitive need for information (i.e. information insufficiency) and desire to fulfill social expectations about their own information level (i.e. informational subjective norms) are key factors that motivate information seeking. Further, risk judgment and affective response contribute to these two primary motivational factors. Based on a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults (N = 1000), results indicated that social dominance orientation contributed to information seeking indirectly through risk judgment, information insufficiency, and relevant channel beliefs. These findings suggest that it is important to consider individual attribute such as social dominance orientation when communicating to the public about a public health crisis that affected marginal social groups disproportionately.

This study applies the risk information seeking and processing (RISP) model to examine how information processing influences individuals’ support for climate change mitigation policy. Perceived issue salience, attitude toward climate information, and systematic processing are positively related to policy support, whereas heuristic processing is not a significant predictor. The direct and indirect relationships illustrated in the model help expand the utility of the risk information seeking and processing model to address policy support. From an applied perspective, this study suggests important pathways to encourage systematic processing of information related to climate change, which may lead to increased public support for mitigation policies.

A more positive affective response to acute exercise has been linked to greater physical activity levels. Older adults might experience increased physiological symptoms (e.g., shallow breathing) during acute exercise and subsequently less positive affect post-exercise. Additionally, sedentary individuals were shown to have a more negative affective response. The goals of the study were to examine whether age and exercise history impact the affective response to exercise and its association with overall physical activity levels. Cognitively normal individuals from the Knight ADRC Adult Children Study (n=65; age range 44-85 years) completed an acute bout of moderate-intensity exercise. Affect was measured at baseline, immediately after, 15 minutes, and 30 minutes post-exercise. Participants also completed one week of actigraphy, which provided an objective estimate of their physical activity levels, and a self-report questionnaire about their exercise history over the past 10 years. While positive affect increased immediately post-exercise similarly across age (p=0.103), older individuals showed a quicker return to baseline (p=0.012). Age did not moderate the association between affect and physical activity (p>0.119). Exercise history did not predict affective response (p’s>0.847), however, individuals with greater exercise history showed a stronger association between a more positive affective response and greater physical activity levels (p< 0.001). These results suggest that older individuals might experience a less positive affective response to moderate-intensity exercise. Furthermore, exercise history might be a relevant moderator of the link between affective response and physical activity. Future studies should use a larger sample size and consider additional moderators, including cardiovascular health and sleep.

The relationship between cognitive and sensory processes in the brain contributes to the regulation of affective responses (pleasure-displeasure). Exercise can be used to manipulate sensory processes (by increasing physiological demand) in order to examine the role of dispositional traits that may influence an individual's ability to cognitively regulate these responses. With the use of near infrared spectroscopy, in this study we examined the influence of self-reported tolerance upon prefrontal cortex (PFC) hemodynamics and affective responses. The hemodynamic response was measured in individuals with high or low tolerance during an incremental exercise test. Sensory manipulation was standardized against metabolic processes (ventilatory threshold [VT] and respiratory compensation point [RCP]), and affective responses were recorded. The results showed that the high-tolerance group displayed a larger hemodynamic response within the right PFC above VT (which increased above RCP). The low-tolerance group showed a larger hemodynamic response within the left PFC above VT. The high-tolerance group reported a more positive/less negative affective response above VT. These findings provide direct neurophysiological evidence of differential hemodynamic responses within the PFC that are associated with tolerance in the presence of increased physiological demands. This study supports the role of dispositional traits and previous theorizing into the underlying mechanisms (cognitive vs. sensory processes) of affective responses.

Putting a good face on touch: Facial expression reflects the affective valence of caress-like touch across modalities

In the last few decades, the number of people living in fire-prone ecosystems has increased, placing more people and private property at risk to future fire events. Substantial research has demonstrated consistent public support for the use of prescribed fires in fuel-reduction efforts; however, continuing public concern regarding smoke emissions and negative air quality impacts exists. To date, limited research has specifically examined public attitudes toward smoke emissions. In this study, we use a mail-back or internet survey to assess citizen information seeking behaviors regarding smoke emissions in four communities in high fire risk areas. Path analysis was used to apply the risk information seeking and processing (RISP) model to examine factors that motivate people to seek information relevant to smoke emissions. We find that residents were concerned about smoke emissions and believed that they needed more information. Residents’ intentions to seek information were influenced by information (in)sufficiency, the number of sources used, and smoke acceptability, among other factors. Findings suggest that currently available information resources on smoke may not be sufficient to meet residents’ information needs, particularly for those most motivated to learn more about emissions.

The current study addresses the potential negative impact of exposure to violent lyrical music on West Virginia University undergraduate college males' state anger, affective, physiological and aggressive behavioral action responses. In addition, relationships between the following variables were also examined: (a) level of trait anger and aggressive behavioral action responses, (b) level of trait anger control and aggressive behavioral action responses, (c) level of trait anger expression and aggressive behavioral action responses, (d) overall anger expression index and aggressive behavioral action responses, (e) daily music listening and aggressive behavioral action responses, and (f) prior music exposure and aggressive behavioral action responses. Music preference influence on aggressive behavioral action responses was also explored. Parametric and nonparametric procedures were utilized to test the research questions. The results of the study revealed that college males exposed to violent lyrical music and subsequently provoked report more aggressive behavioral action responses compared to no music (control) participants. No significant difference in number of aggressive behavioral action responses were found between the violent lyrical and non-violent lyrical groups. Exposure to both violent lyrical and non-violent lyrical music did not impact participants level of state anger or positive and negative affective responses. A significant positive correlation between total number of aggressive behavioral action responses and trait anger was indicated for the violent lyrical participants. No significant between group differences in systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate (HR) responses were found among the violent lyrical, non-violent lyrical and no music participants. Yet, upon comparing baseline SBP and post-music SBP, within group differences were revealed among both violent lyrical and non-violent lyrical participants. Clinical implications and limitations are discussed as well as suggestions for future research.