Effects of Information Awareness, Search Purpose, and Search Expectation on Information Avoidance

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify the effects of information awareness, search purpose, search expectation, and search subject type on information avoidance. An online survey was conducted targeting the general public by applying the information seeking-avoidance measurement tool. As a result of the study, first, the effect of information recognition on the personal factors of information avoidance was positively significant. Second, the effect of search expectation on the information factor of information avoidance was negatively significant. Third, the effect of health information on personal factors of information avoidance was positively significant in search subject types. Fourth, the effect of health information on system factors of information avoidance was negatively significant. In information avoidance, not only the searcher's psychological, emotional and affective problems, but also the seeker's search aspects, information awareness, and search expectations should be considered.