Explaining Seeking, Scanning, and Avoidance of Information About the Mammography-Screening: Results of a Two-Wave Online Survey with a Stratified Sample of Women.

Abstract

Whether individuals engage with or avoid health information and which sources are used is crucial for informed decision-making about mammography. Therefore, we aim to develop a typology of mammography-related information behaviors and explore their determinants, which were derived from the Theory of Motivated Information Management (TMIM). Based on a two-wave online survey of a sample of German women aged 40 to 69 years (N = 1,138), a cluster analysis resulted in five person-centric types of information behavior that cover respondents' variety of engagement with mammography-related information: The seekers, the scanners, the avoiders, the involved, and the inactive. The types indicated that most individuals possess a high preference for one strategy of information behavior. Looking at the determinants of belonging to a particular type of information behavior, it becomes apparent that the factors of the TMIM have only limited explanatory power. The most relevant factors in distinguishing the types of information behaviors are benefit perceptions, worry, interest, avoidance efficacy, seeking, and avoidance-related outcome expectancies. Scanners and seekers had higher benefit perceptions. Seekers were further motivated by greater worries, while involved ones felt more interested and held stronger expectancies. Avoiders were more anxious and had a higher avoidance efficacy. The study suggests that inactive individuals and avoiders are highly prevalent and relevant target groups for health interventions that support informed decision-making. To facilitate informed decision-making, women should be encouraged to weigh benefits and harms of their options and to address negative emotions, such as anxiety, that may exist or arise during decision-making.