How information processing and risk/benefit perception affect COVID-19 vaccination intention of users in online health communities

Front Public Health. 2023 Feb 21:11:1043485. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1043485. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship among information processing, risk/benefit perception and the COVID-19 vaccination intention of OHCs users with the heuristic-systematic model (HSM).

Methods: This study conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire via an online survey among Chinese adults. A structural equation model (SEM) was used to examine the research hypotheses.

Results: Systematic information processing positively influenced benefit perception, and heuristic information processing positively influenced risk perception. Benefit perception had a significant positive effect on users' vaccination intention. Risk perception had a negative impact on vaccination intention. Findings revealed that differences in information processing methods affect users' perceptions of risk and benefit, which decide their vaccination intention.

Conclusion: Online health communities can provide more systematic cues and users should process information systematically to increase their perceived benefits, consequently increase their willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine.

Keywords: COVID-19 vaccine; benefit perception; information processing; online health community; risk perception.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • COVID-19 Vaccines*
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Intention
  • Perception
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the National Social Science Fund of China (Grant No: 20BTQ081), Key International Cooperation Projects of Hunan Province of China (Grant No: 2021WK2003), and the Project of Theory, Practice and Popularization of Scientific and Technological Novelty Search by Shenzhen Health Development Research and Data Management Center (Grant No: H202111120250001).