What Influences Knowledge Gain by Evidence-Based Information? The Role of Individuals’ Coping Style of Risk Information

• In Event: HIGH-DENSITY: Effects of Public Information on Health Outcomes

Abstract

Today, patients are challenged to take more responsibility for their health care. To empower patients their current (objective) state of knowledge and the perceived (subjective) knowledge need to be enhanced. However, the contribution of evidence-based health information to knowledge gain is influenced by individual characteristics. In this study, we focus on people’s preferred coping style (monitoring/ blunting) and analyze how it influences the way people process information, evaluate risks, needs and acquire health knowledge. To answer our research questions, we conducted an online survey with 1.581 (Age: M=46.7, SD=14.89; 51.1% female). The findings show that monitoring enhances knowledge gain, whereas ‘blunters’ feel more informed, but actually know less. Mediation analyses confirmed that coping styles influence the state of knowledge through characteristics of the information and information sufficiency. That shows the importance to consider individuals’ characteristics for the development and dissemination of evidence-based health information

Authors

• Elena Link, U of Music, Drama and Media (Department of Journalism and Communication Research)

• Eva Baumann, Hanover Univ. of Music, Drama, and Media

• Martina Albrecht, Stiftung Gesundheitswissen