Impact of online information on self-isolation intention during the COVID-19 pandemic : cross-sectional study
Farooq, Ali and Laato, Samuli and Islam, AKM Najmul (2020) Impact of online information on self-isolation intention during the COVID-19 pandemic : cross-sectional study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22 (5). e19128. ISSN 1438-8871 (https://doi.org/10.2196/19128)
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Abstract
Background: During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, governments issued movement restrictions and placed areas into quarantine to combat the spread of the disease. In addition, individuals were encouraged to adopt personal health measures such as social isolation. Information regarding the disease and recommended avoidance measures were distributed through a variety of channels including social media, news websites, and emails. Previous research suggests that the vast amount of available information can be confusing, potentially resulting in overconcern and information overload. Objective: This study investigates the impact of online information on the individual-level intention to voluntarily self-isolate during the pandemic. Using the protection-motivation theory as a framework, we propose a model outlining the effects of cyberchondria and information overload on individuals’ perceptions and motivations. Methods: To test the proposed model, we collected data with an online survey (N=225) and analyzed it using partial least square-structural equation modeling. The effects of social media and living situation were tested through multigroup analysis. Results: Cyberchondria and information overload had a significant impact on individuals’ threat and coping perceptions, and through them on self-isolation intention. Among the appraisal constructs, perceived severity (P=.002) and self-efficacy (P=.003) positively impacted self-isolation intention, while response cost (P Conclusions: During COVID-19, frequent use of social media contributed to information overload and overconcern among individuals. To boost individuals’ motivation to adopt preventive measures such as self-isolation, actions should focus on lowering individuals’ perceived response costs in addition to informing them about the severity of the situation.
ORCID iDs
Farooq, Ali ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4864-3155, Laato, Samuli and Islam, AKM Najmul;-
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Item type: Article ID code: 86847 Dates: DateEvent6 May 2020Published21 April 2020Accepted4 April 2020SubmittedSubjects: Medicine > Public aspects of medicine > Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Medicine > Medicine (General)Department: Faculty of Science > Computer and Information Sciences Depositing user: Pure Administrator Date deposited: 04 Oct 2023 10:44 Last modified: 03 Dec 2024 16:02 URI: https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/86847