코로나19 (COVID-19) 관련 위험정보 탐색과 처리가 코로나19 예방 행동 및 정보 공유에 미치는 영향

The Effects of COVID-19 Risk Information Seeking and Processing on its Preventive Behaviors and Information Sharing

This study aims to examine the effects of users perceptions of COVID-19 risk on their seeking and processing of relevant information as COVID-19 emerges and spreads worldwide in 2019. We apply the risk information seeking and processing model (RISP Model) to verify whether users’ COVID-19 related information seeking and processing behaviors have a positive effect on their preventive and information sharing behaviors. To achieve this research goal, an online survey was conducted with about 400 of social media users. The users perceptions of risk for COVID-19 increased their perceived insufficiency of COVID-19 information. In addition, the perceived insufficiency of users information formed a positive relationship with seeking and searching of information behaviors. The processing of COVID-19 related information has increased related preventive behaviors and sharing of information through social media. While searching for information related to COVID-19 prompted personal information sharing behaviors, it did not significantly affect preventive behaviors. Accordingly, in order to promote COVID-19 preventive behaviors as well as overall user health-related behaviors it can be inferred that additional measures are needed in addition to pursuing relevant information.