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

Abstract

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.

Keywords:

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Theory Of Motivated Information Management

Notes

Note. *indicates the correlation is significant at p<0.05.

Note. *indicates the correlation is significant at p<0.05.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Norman C. H. Wong

Norman C. H. Wong (Ph.D., University of Georgia, 2005) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Oklahoma.