Positive Emotion and Media Dependence: Measuring Risk Information Seeking and Perception in the COVID-19 Pandemic...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Communication Studies
• Public Health

Background:

• The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced public behavior.
• Understanding information seeking and processing is crucial during health crises.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine Chinese people's information seeking and processing behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To investigate the impact of risk perception, emotional responses, information-gathering capacity, and media trust on information seeking using the RISP model.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was conducted among the Chinese population.
• The survey included 675 valid samples, with gender and age quotas.
• The study utilized the Risk Information Seeking and Processing (RISP) model.

Main Results:

• Pandemic risk perception positively influenced perceived information-gathering capacity and media trust.
• Both positive and negative emotional responses positively affected information seeking behavior.
• Media trust, perceived information-gathering capacity, and subjective norms were significant positive predictors of information seeking.

Conclusions:

• Emotional responses play a key role in shaping pandemic information seeking.
• Nurturing positive emotions can lead to a more holistic perception of pandemic information.
• Media trust and perceived ability to gather information are vital for effective public engagement with health information.