AUTHOR=Liu Hao , Gong Liyue , Wang Cao , Gao Yunyun , Guo Yi , Yi Minhan , Jiang Hao , Wu Xusheng , Hu Dehua 

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

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1043485

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2023.1043485

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Objective</title><p>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).</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>This study conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire <italic>via</italic> an online survey among Chinese adults. A structural equation model (SEM) was used to examine the research hypotheses.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>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.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p>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.</p></sec>