JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

During the 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 measures were distributed through a variety of channels such as social media, news websites and email. Previous research suggests that the vast amount of available information can be confusing, resulting in over-concern and information overload.

Objective:

We investigate the impact of online information on individual-level intention to voluntarily self-isolate during the pandemic. Using the protection-motivation theory as a framework, we propose a model outlining the effect of cyberchondria and information overload on individuals' perceptions and motivation.

Methods:

To test the proposed model, we collected data with an online survey (N=225) and analysed using partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The effects of social media and living situation were tested through multi-group analysis (PLS-MGA).

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=0.002) and self-efficacy (P=0.003) positively impacted self-isolation intention while response cost (P<0.001) affected the intention negatively. Cyberchondria (P=0.003) and information overload (P=0.003) indirectly affect self-isolation intention through the aforementioned perceptions. Using social media as an information source increased both cyberchondria and information overload. No difference in perceptions was found between people living along and those living with their families. (P>0.05).

Conclusions:

Social media creates a sense of information overload and over concern among individuals. To boost individuals’ motivation to adopt preventive measures such as self-isolation, stakeholders should focus on lowering perceived costs in addition to informing about the severity of the situation.