The negative consequences of avoiding health information on health risk behaviors: An SOR perspective

Abstract

The study aims at measuring and validating the stimulus organism response (SOR) theory among health consumers, as well as identifying the factors that predict health information avoidance behavior and its relationship to risk behaviors. A cross-sectional survey design was employed to collect the data from health consumers, who have either recently used health services or are likely to do so in the future. An eight-factor (information overload, risk perception, social stigma, health information anxiety, sadness, cognitive dissonance, health information avoidance, and health risk behavior) measurement model was used to measure the health information avoidance behavior. The model was tested using the structural equation modelling (SEM). The findings show that health information avoidance behavior is associated with engaging in risky health behaviors. Information overload and risk perception are both found to increase health information anxiety significantly, which, in turn, drives health consumers to avoid seeking and processing health information. Our study suggests that health literacy sessions can play an important role in helping consumers navigate information overload, manage health anxiety, and effectively seek out reliable health information. This study extends the SOR theory by demonstrating its applicability to public health information avoidance and its consequences for health. By identifying the factors contributing to avoidance, this research can inform the development of more effective health communication strategies.