Qi Shenghao, Tham Jen Sern, Waheed Moniza, Hashim Norliana
Department of Communication, Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia.
Brain and Mental Health Research Advancement and Innovation Networks (PUTRA BRAIN), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia.
Front Public Health. 2025 Mar 24;13:1545942. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1545942. eCollection 2025.
During recurrent large-scale influenza-like illness (ILI) crises, the factors influencing the information-seeking intentions of Chinese individuals across multiple channels during crises remain underexplored.
Guided by the risk information seeking and processing (RISP) model, this study proposes a modified RISP model to comprehensively analyze information-seeking intentions through the lens of risk communication.
To empirically validate the proposed research model, we conducted an online cross-sectional survey with 2,604 Chinese citizens aged 18 years and older. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and ordinary least squares regression analysis were employed to analyze the survey data.
Our findings revealed that during ILI crises, Chinese individuals experienced a spectrum of emotions; as perceived risk increased, negative emotions intensified while positive emotions decreased. Increased negative emotions correlated with a greater sense of information insufficiency, whereas heightened positive emotions correlated with a reduced perception of it. Consequently, Chinese individuals facing information deficiencies were more inclined to seek information from diverse sources, including interpersonal sources, traditional media, search engines, and social media. Moreover, statistical analysis indicated that stronger beliefs in channel complementary strengthened the relationship between information insufficiency and information-seeking intention across multiple channels (access to medical expertise belief, tailorability belief, convenience belief, anonymity belief).
This study outlines a pathway for advancing the RISP model and offers practical strategies for effective risk communication to mitigate risks and enhance public perception and behavior. It also discusses implications for health communication, promotion, and behavior change.
在反复出现的大规模流感样疾病（ILI）危机期间，危机期间影响中国个体通过多种渠道寻求信息意图的因素仍未得到充分探索。
以风险信息寻求与处理（RISP）模型为指导，本研究提出一个经过修改的RISP模型，以通过风险沟通的视角全面分析信息寻求意图。
为了实证验证所提出的研究模型，我们对2604名18岁及以上的中国公民进行了在线横断面调查。采用结构方程模型（SEM）和普通最小二乘法回归分析来分析调查数据。
我们的研究结果显示，在ILI危机期间，中国个体经历了一系列情绪；随着感知风险的增加，负面情绪增强而正面情绪减少。负面情绪的增加与更大的信息不足感相关，而正面情绪的增强与对信息不足感的感知降低相关。因此，面临信息不足的中国个体更倾向于从包括人际来源、传统媒体、搜索引擎和社交媒体在内的多种来源寻求信息。此外，统计分析表明，对渠道互补性的更强信念加强了信息不足与跨多种渠道（获得医学专业知识信念、可定制性信念、便利性信念、匿名性信念）的信息寻求意图之间的关系。
本研究概述了推进RISP模型的途径，并提供了有效风险沟通的实用策略，以减轻风险并增强公众认知和行为。它还讨论了对健康沟通、促进和行为改变的影响。
