Information Seeking as A Predictor of Risk Behavior: Testing A Behavior and Risk Information Engagement Model (BRIE)

Abstract

Prior theoretical models of information seeking have examined its role, primarily, as a determinant of recommended behaviors. In this study, we develop and test the “behavior and risk information engagement” (BRIE) model, which accounts for the reciprocal effects of information seeking from interpersonal and media sources on two risk behaviors – nonmedical marijuana and amphetamine use. We test the model among young Israeli adults (N = 800) using a three-wave prospective observational study (at 6-month intervals). Autoregressive cross-lagged structural equation models showed good fit. Information seeking from interpersonal sources at baseline predicted amphetamine use and marijuana use at 6 months. In both models, seeking drug-related information from interpersonal sources at baseline was also a predictor of seeking information from media sources at 6 months. Information seeking from media sources at 6 months was also a significant predictor of amphetamine use at 12 months. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.

Supplementary Material

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Notes

¹ However, there was a substantial correlation observed between information seeking from interpersonal and mediated channels within time points. Thus, observed lagged associations between seeking from interpersonal sources at baseline and subsequent seeking from media sources may be more modest than they appear.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by a European Union Marie Curie Career Reintegration grant (SSBD, FP7 333605).