Information Seeking Behaviors and Intentions in Response to Environmental Health Risk Messages: A Test of A Reduced Risk Information Seeking Model

Figures & data

Figure 1. Study conceptual model and hypotheses based on the reduced risk information seeking and processing model (Yang et al., 2014) and risk information seeking and processing model (Griffin et al., 1999).

Figure 2. Example low and high threat messages for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Similar messages were also produced for Arsenic and Bisphenol A (BPA) risks. Depending on the condition, messages were presented with or without the seeking cue shown here.

Table 1. Descriptive Statistics and Pearson Correlations for Main Model Variables (N = 1,823).

Variables	M (SD)	1.	2.	3.	4.	5.
1. Information Seeking^a	-
2. Perceived Hazard	3.63 (0.86)	.27**
3. Affective Response	3.46 (1.08)	.21**	.41**
4. Current Knowledge Perceptions	4.24 (2.81)	.22**	.23**	.10**
5. Subjective Norms	3.91 (0.87)	.34**	.42**	.29**	.27**
6. Seeking Intentions	3.82 (0.98)	.37**	.47**	.34**	.28**	.57**

^aInformation seeking is a binary variable (1 = seekers, 0 = non-seekers). Correlations between a dichotomous and a continuous variable are point biserial, a special case of Pearson correlation. **p <.01

Table 2. Standardized Results and Significance Levels for Structural Model Paths (N = 1,823).

Parameter Estimate	Standardized (SE)
Predictors of Perceived Hazard
Arsenic Message^a →Perceived Hazard	−.10 (.04)*
VOC Message^a → Perceived Hazard	−.01 (.03)
Low Threat Message^b → Perceived Hazard (H6a)	.01 (.04)
High Threat Message^b → Perceived Hazard (H6a)	.16 (.03)*
Predictors of Current Knowledge Perceptions
Arsenic Message ^a → Current Knowledge Perceptions	−.03 (.03)
VOC Message ^a → Current Knowledge Perceptions	−.14 (.03)*
Low Threat Message^b → Current Knowledge Perceptions (H8)	.11 (.03)*
High Threat Message^b → Current Knowledge Perceptions (H8)	.09 (.03)*
Affective Response → Current Knowledge Perceptions (H9)	.22 (.03)*
Subjective Norms → Current Knowledge Perceptions (H3)	.21 (.03)*
Predictors of Affective Response
Arsenic Message ^a → Affective Response	.60 (.03)*
VOC Message ^a → Affective Response	−.04 (.03)
Perceived Hazard → Affective Response (H7)	.60 (.03)*
Predictors of Seeking
Arsenic Message ^a → Seeking	−.05 (.03)
VOC Message ^a → Seeking	.09 (.03)*
Affective Response → Seeking (H10)	.18 (.03)*
Subjective Norms → Seeking (H4)	.27 (.03)*
Current Knowledge Perceptions → Seeking (H1)	.11 (.02)*
Seeking Cue → Seeking (H12)	−.03 (.02)
Predictors of Seeking Intention
Arsenic Message ^a → Seeking Intention	−.02 (.02)
VOC Message ^a → Seeking Intention	.01 (.02)
Affective Response → Seeking Intention (H11)	.31 (.03)*
Subjective Norms → Seeking Intention (H5)	.47 (.03)*
Current Knowledge Perceptions → Seeking Intention (H2)	.06 (.02)*
Seeking → Future Seeking Intention (H13)	.14 (.02)*

Note: χ² (161) = 1402.53, p < 0.001, RMSEA = 0.07, CFI = 0.90, SRMR = 0.12.

^aBPA was the comparison.

^bControl condition (no message) was the comparison. *p <.05

Table 3. Overview of Study Predictions and Outcomes.

Predictor Variable	Related Hypotheses	Results
Current Knowledge Perceptions	Positively associated with seeking information (H1) Positively associated with future seeking intentions (H2)	Supported Supported
Informational Subjective Norms	Positively associated with current knowledge perceptions (H3) Positively associated with seeking information (H4) Positively associated with future seeking intentions (H5)	Supported Supported Supported
Risk Message Exposure	Positively associated with perceived hazard (H6a) ^a High (vs. low) threat message exposure associated with greater perceived hazard (H6b) Positively associated with current knowledge perceptions (H8) ^a	Partially Supported Supported Supported
Perceived Hazard	Positively associated with negative affect (H7)	Supported
Negative Affect	Positively associated with current knowledge perceptions (H9) Positively associated with seeking information (H10) Positively associated with future seeking intentions (H11)	Supported Supported Supported
Cues to Action	Positively associated with seeking information (H12)	Not Supported
Information Seeking	Positively associated with future seeking intentions (H13)	Supported

^ahigh and low threat message exposure compared to no message exposure

Yang, Z. J., Aloe, A. M., & Feeley, T. H. (2014). Risk information seeking and processing model: A meta-analysis. Journal of Communication, 64(1), 20–41. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcom.12071

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Griffin, R. J., Dunwoody, S., & Neuwirth, K. (1999). Proposed model of the relationship of risk information seeking and processing to the development of preventive behaviors. Environmental Research, 80(2), S230–245. https://doi.org/10.1006/enrs.1998.3940

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