Purpose This study is a theory-building effort to extend the risk perception attitude (RPA) framework by considering an organization-related factor. Specifically, this study examined how an organization-related factor, namely safety... more
Purpose
This study is a theory-building effort to extend the risk perception attitude (RPA) framework by considering an organization-related factor. Specifically, this study examined how an organization-related factor, namely safety climate, and individual-related factors, namely risk perception and efficacy belief, jointly influence flight attendants’ occupational health and
safety (OHS) information seeking intent.
Design/methodology/approach
Four hundred eighty-six flight attendants from an international air carrier, based in Hong Kong, participated in an online survey. Hierarchical regression was employed to examine the three-way interaction of risk perception, efficacy belief, and safety climate.
Findings
Results showed that safety climate moderated the effect of efficacy belief on the relationship between risk perception and OHS information seeking intent. For flight attendants who perceived a high safety climate, those who felt more efficacious had a higher intent for OHS information seeking than those who felt less efficacious. In contrast, for flight attendants who
perceived a low safety climate, when they perceived a high level of risk, those with low efficacy had a higher information seeking intent than those with high efficacy.
Originality
Although the RPA framework has shown its potential to explicate how individual employees engage in OHS information seeking behavior, the framework has largely overlooked the importance of organization-related factors as an influential shaping force of individual employee’s behavior. To fill this research gap, this study extends the RPA framework by
examining how safety climate moderates the relationship between risk perception and efficacy belief on flight attendants’ OHS information seeking intent. Safety climate also plays an important role in segmenting audience groups for OHS promotion.
This study is a theory-building effort to extend the risk perception attitude (RPA) framework by considering an organization-related factor. Specifically, this study examined how an organization-related factor, namely safety climate, and individual-related factors, namely risk perception and efficacy belief, jointly influence flight attendants’ occupational health and
safety (OHS) information seeking intent.
Design/methodology/approach
Four hundred eighty-six flight attendants from an international air carrier, based in Hong Kong, participated in an online survey. Hierarchical regression was employed to examine the three-way interaction of risk perception, efficacy belief, and safety climate.
Findings
Results showed that safety climate moderated the effect of efficacy belief on the relationship between risk perception and OHS information seeking intent. For flight attendants who perceived a high safety climate, those who felt more efficacious had a higher intent for OHS information seeking than those who felt less efficacious. In contrast, for flight attendants who
perceived a low safety climate, when they perceived a high level of risk, those with low efficacy had a higher information seeking intent than those with high efficacy.
Originality
Although the RPA framework has shown its potential to explicate how individual employees engage in OHS information seeking behavior, the framework has largely overlooked the importance of organization-related factors as an influential shaping force of individual employee’s behavior. To fill this research gap, this study extends the RPA framework by
examining how safety climate moderates the relationship between risk perception and efficacy belief on flight attendants’ OHS information seeking intent. Safety climate also plays an important role in segmenting audience groups for OHS promotion.
Research Interests:
Purpose This study is a theory-building effort to extend the risk perception attitude (RPA) framework by considering an organization-related factor. Specifically, this study examined how an organization-related factor, namely safety... more
Purpose
This study is a theory-building effort to extend the risk perception attitude (RPA) framework by considering an organization-related factor. Specifically, this study examined how an organization-related factor, namely safety climate, and individual-related factors, namely risk perception and efficacy belief, jointly influence flight attendants’ occupational health and
safety (OHS) information seeking intent.
Design/methodology/approach
Four hundred eighty-six flight attendants from an international air carrier, based in Hong Kong, participated in an online survey. Hierarchical regression was employed to examine the three-way interaction of risk perception, efficacy belief, and safety climate.
Findings
Results showed that safety climate moderated the effect of efficacy belief on the relationship between risk perception and OHS information seeking intent. For flight attendants who perceived a high safety climate, those who felt more efficacious had a higher intent for OHS information seeking than those who felt less efficacious. In contrast, for flight attendants who
perceived a low safety climate, when they perceived a high level of risk, those with low efficacy had a higher information seeking intent than those with high efficacy.
Originality
Although the RPA framework has shown its potential to explicate how individual employees engage in OHS information seeking behavior, the framework has largely overlooked the importance of organization-related factors as an influential shaping force of individual employee’s behavior. To fill this research gap, this study extends the RPA framework by
examining how safety climate moderates the relationship between risk perception and efficacy belief on flight attendants’ OHS information seeking intent. Safety climate also plays an important role in segmenting audience groups for OHS promotion.
This study is a theory-building effort to extend the risk perception attitude (RPA) framework by considering an organization-related factor. Specifically, this study examined how an organization-related factor, namely safety climate, and individual-related factors, namely risk perception and efficacy belief, jointly influence flight attendants’ occupational health and
safety (OHS) information seeking intent.
Design/methodology/approach
Four hundred eighty-six flight attendants from an international air carrier, based in Hong Kong, participated in an online survey. Hierarchical regression was employed to examine the three-way interaction of risk perception, efficacy belief, and safety climate.
Findings
Results showed that safety climate moderated the effect of efficacy belief on the relationship between risk perception and OHS information seeking intent. For flight attendants who perceived a high safety climate, those who felt more efficacious had a higher intent for OHS information seeking than those who felt less efficacious. In contrast, for flight attendants who
perceived a low safety climate, when they perceived a high level of risk, those with low efficacy had a higher information seeking intent than those with high efficacy.
Originality
Although the RPA framework has shown its potential to explicate how individual employees engage in OHS information seeking behavior, the framework has largely overlooked the importance of organization-related factors as an influential shaping force of individual employee’s behavior. To fill this research gap, this study extends the RPA framework by
examining how safety climate moderates the relationship between risk perception and efficacy belief on flight attendants’ OHS information seeking intent. Safety climate also plays an important role in segmenting audience groups for OHS promotion.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The literature has explored age differences in health information seeking during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a noticeable gap in research regarding generational variations in the underlying factors of health information... more
The literature has explored age differences in health information seeking during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a noticeable gap in research regarding generational variations in the underlying factors of health information scanning and sharing, as well as generational differences in the interplay of health information seeking, scanning, and sharing. This study examined: (1) differences in risk-and channel-related motivators of online health information seeking, online health information scanning, and COVID-19 information sharing among three generational cohorts: Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials; and (2) generational differences in the relationship between information seeking, scanning, and sharing. The focus on generational differences took into consideration both biological and social differences in age cohorts when comparing their information behaviors. The data came from an online survey of 1,004 Hong Kong residents. Results showed generational similarities in individuals' more frequent information scanning than seeking and the positive relationship between information seeking and sharing. Generational differences emerged in several aspects, including the frequency of information seeking and scanning; the relationship between health status and information seeking; associations of income, health status, channel characteristics, and channel utility with information scanning; and associations of information seeking and scanning with information sharing. These findings offer insights into how riskand channel-related factors may differ among generations or transcend generational differences in shaping individuals' information behaviors in the historical and cultural context of COVID-19 in Hong Kong. Results of our study inform communication strategies for different generational groups in future public health crises.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
♦ Background: Nonadherence to hand hygiene and aseptic regimen, dialysis environment guidelines, and catheter and exit-site care guidelines are risk factors of peritonitis. However, little is known about the psychosocial factors that... more
♦ Background: Nonadherence to hand hygiene and aseptic regimen, dialysis environment guidelines, and catheter and exit-site care guidelines are risk factors of peritonitis. However, little is known about the psychosocial factors that account for the nonadherent behavior of patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). Applying the health belief model, this study seeks to enhance the understanding of psychosocial influences on patients' nonadherent behavior to the 3 regimen components. ♦ Methods: Through referrals by 7 Hong Kong renal patient support groups, we surveyed patients undergoing PD treatment. ♦ Results: A total of 244 Hong Kong PD patients completed the questionnaires. About 90% of the patients reported no deviation from catheter and exit-site care guidelines. However, the nonadherence rates of hand hygiene and aseptic regimen and of dialysis environment guidelines were 30.3% and 23%, respectively. Longer time on PD treatment and lower family monthly income were associ...
Research Interests:
This study examines the conceptual linkages between individuals’ uncertainty judgments and affective reactions (worry and anger) within the context of an environmental health risk. It uses data from a longitudinal study of people’s... more
This study examines the conceptual linkages between individuals’ uncertainty judgments and affective reactions (worry and anger) within the context of an environmental health risk. It uses data from a longitudinal study of people’s reactions to the risks of eating contaminated fish from the Great Lakes that employed the risk information seeking and processing model and incorporates a set of variables from the full model, which includes preventive behavior. Findings support the model and indicate that worry and anger strongly influenced uncertainty judgments but worry and anger influenced attitudes toward fish avoidance and information insufficiency differently.
Research Interests:
This study presents a theoretical framework that examines foreign publics’ use of foreign news from domestic media and pre-existing schema to form an image of another nation. To test the proposed theoretical framework, we examined Chinese... more
This study presents a theoretical framework that examines foreign publics’ use of foreign news from domestic media and pre-existing schema to form an image of another nation. To test the proposed theoretical framework, we examined Chinese citizens’ image of the United States using the data from a survey collected from a representative sample of Chinese adults. The findings suggest that the role of foreign news from domestic media is conditional on pre-existing schema, including individuals’ patriotism and whether they have traveled to the United States. We conclude by discussing the implications of the results for research investigating national image and stakeholders interested in predictors of national image.
Research Interests:
The purpose of this study is twofold: (1) to explicate the underlying process of how narratives, accompanied with counterfactual thinking, exert cognitive and affective influence on audiences and (2) to examine how counterfactual thinking... more
The purpose of this study is twofold: (1) to explicate the underlying process of how narratives, accompanied with counterfactual thinking, exert cognitive and affective influence on audiences and (2) to examine how counterfactual thinking and regulatory focus, as story characteristics, enhance the persuasiveness of the narrative. Participants in the experiment were exposed to animated narratives in which the protagonist described her nonadherence to the peritoneal dialysis treatment regimen that resulted in her hospitalization. One hundred thirty-six patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis participated in a 2 (Goal failure framing: promotion-framed failure versus prevention-framed failure) by 2 (Counterfactual thinking: additive counterfactuals versus subtractive counterfactuals) between-subject factorial experiment. The analyses showed that narratives with additive counterfactuals, as opposed to those with subtractive counterfactuals, elicited greater anticipated regret and mental ...
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Human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause various diseases; low-risk strains can cause genital warts, whereas high-risk strains can cause cervical cancer and cancer of the vulva in women and cancers of the penis, anus, and oropharynx in men.... more
Human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause various diseases; low-risk strains can cause genital warts, whereas high-risk strains can cause cervical cancer and cancer of the vulva in women and cancers of the penis, anus, and oropharynx in men. Although HPV affects men, literature has reported that the prevalence of HPV vaccination is far lower among men than among women. Few studies have examined perceptions and acceptability of the HPV vaccine among men, particularly in Chinese communities. In this study, the acceptability of the HPV vaccine to men was investigated using Hong Kong men as a case group. A qualitative research approach was adopted. Thirty-nine men were purposively sampled for the in-depth individual semistructured interviews from June to October 2017 to investigate their perceptions of the HPV vaccine and the barriers for them to receive the vaccination. Limited knowledge and awareness of HPV-related issues, low perceived risk of HPV infection, perceived association between ...
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Background: Peritonitis is a leading, fatal complication of bacterial infection with significant health and social consequences to end-stage kidney disease patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Adherence to a therapeutic regimen is... more
Background: Peritonitis is a leading, fatal complication of bacterial infection with significant health and social consequences to end-stage kidney disease patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Adherence to a therapeutic regimen is crucial to prevent peritonitis. Therefore, to develop an evidence-based and patient-centered communication campaign to improve patients' adherence, a formative research is essential to understand patients' beliefs. Objective: The authors used the health belief model (HBM) as the framework to examine Hong Kong PD patients' risk perception of peritonitis and the factors that accounted for their adherence to the therapeutic regimen. Method: Thirty-four PD patients in Hong Kong participated in focus group discussions to investigate patients' perceived susceptibility and severity of peritonitis, perceived barriers and benefits associated with adherence, their self-efficacy to perform PD-related regimens, their motivational cues to adhere, and potential persuasive strategy and communication channels for adherence promotion. Results: The findings revealed that perceived susceptibility varied across patients' peritonitis experience, and that they perceived peritonitis to be associated with physical, psychological, and social consequences. Patients considered maintaining their independence and minimizing their sense of guilt as the benefits of adherence. Perceived barriers to adherence included social activities and work, treatment expenses, fatigue, and environmental constraints. Since adaptation to PD treatment and imitation of other patients' practices appeared to influence patients' self-efficacy, narrative communication was identified as a potential persuasive strategy for guiding the development of campaign messages. Conclusion: The HBM-guided formative research has provided useful insights into designing evidence-based adherence communication campaigns.
Background: Nonadherence to hand hygiene and aseptic regimen, dialysis environment guidelines, and catheter and exit-site care guidelines are risk factors of peritonitis. However, little is known about the psychosocial factors that... more
Background: Nonadherence to hand hygiene and aseptic regimen, dialysis environment guidelines, and catheter and exit-site care guidelines are risk factors of peritonitis. However, little is known about the psychosocial factors that account for the nonadherent behavior of patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). Applying the health belief model, this study seeks to enhance the understanding of psychosocial influences on patients' nonadherent behavior to the 3 regimen components. ♦ Methods: Through referrals by 7 Hong Kong renal patient support groups, we surveyed patients undergoing PD treatment. ♦ Results: A total of 244 Hong Kong PD patients completed the questionnaires. About 90% of the patients reported no deviation from catheter and exit-site care guidelines. However, the nonadherence rates of hand hygiene and aseptic regimen and of dialysis environment guidelines were 30.3% and 23%, respectively. Longer time on PD treatment and lower family monthly income were associated with nonadherence to dialysis environment guidelines. Employed patients tended toward nonadherence to catheter and exit-site care guidelines twice as much as unemployed patients. Of the 5 health beliefs, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and efficacy belief were significant predictors of nonadherence to the 3 regimen components. ♦ Conclusions: The findings of this study inform the design of intervention to change patients' behavior in regimen nonadherence for preventing peritonitis. To identify the target audience for adherence intervention based on the 3 regimen components, the results suggest dividing patients into subgroups according to their sociodemographic background. To foster behavioral change, health communicators should address patients' health beliefs when formulating intervention strategies.
This study presents a theoretical framework that examines foreign publics’ use of foreign news from domestic media and pre-existing schema to form an image of another nation. To test the proposed theoretical framework, we examined Chinese... more
This study presents a theoretical framework that examines foreign publics’ use of foreign news from domestic media and pre-existing schema to form an image of another nation. To test the proposed theoretical framework, we examined Chinese citizens’ image of the United States using the data from a survey collected from a representative sample of Chinese adults. The findings suggest that the role of foreign news from domestic media is conditional on pre-existing schema, including individuals’ patriotism and whether they have traveled to the United States. We conclude by discussing the implications of the results for research investigating national image and stakeholders interested in predictors of national image.
This study examines the conceptual linkages between individuals’ uncertainty judgments and affective reactions (worry and anger) within the context of an environmental health risk. It uses data from a longitudinal study of people’s... more
This study examines the conceptual linkages between individuals’ uncertainty judgments and affective reactions (worry and anger) within the context of an environmental health risk. It uses data from a longitudinal study of people’s reactions to the risks of eating contaminated fish from the Great Lakes that employed the risk information seeking and processing model and incorporates a set of variables from the full model, which includes preventive behavior. Findings support the model and indicate that worry and anger strongly influenced uncertainty judgments but worry and anger influenced attitudes toward fish avoidance and information insufficiency differently.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
This study uses a qualitative methodology to examine the perception of acupuncture among users and nonusers. Altogether 37 participants, age 35 or older, were interviewed. Participants' perception of advantages and disadvantages of... more
This study uses a qualitative methodology to examine the perception of acupuncture among users and nonusers. Altogether 37 participants, age 35 or older, were interviewed. Participants' perception of advantages and disadvantages of adopting acupuncture, and their criteria in selecting acupuncturists, were collected. Results found that among the user group, acupuncture was perceived as being effective, having little side effects, and generating lasting impact. Among nonusers, acupuncture was perceived as lacking a clinical base, high risk, and nonstandardized. Nonusers had less confidence in acupuncture than biomedicine. Participants relied on social communication and the practitioner's professional qualifications in choosing acupuncturists. Marketing implications are discussed.
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This study examines underlying mechanisms in the relationship between exemplification in mass media and people's perception of public opinion. Previous research has consistently shown that exemplars influence the perception of... more
This study examines underlying mechanisms in the relationship between exemplification in mass media and people's perception of public opinion. Previous research has consistently shown that exemplars influence the perception of current and future public opinion for ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The Internet provides users with an unprecedented amount of political information at their fingertips. But perhaps the most influential way the Internet is affecting politics is through the ability of almost anyone to create and widely... more
The Internet provides users with an unprecedented amount of political information at their fingertips. But perhaps the most influential way the Internet is affecting politics is through the ability of almost anyone to create and widely disseminate their own ideas. YouTube, for ...
We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the time and effort devoted by reviewers to improving the quality of published work in UMUAI. Authors often write to express their appreciation for the detailed and useful comments... more
We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the time and effort devoted by reviewers to improving the quality of published work in UMUAI. Authors often write to express their appreciation for the detailed and useful comments that we obtain for them. Only rarely we receive complaints, even when the reviews are negative. This is a tribute to the spirit in which reviewing is undertaken for this journal. It is a pleasure therefore, to be able to pass on thanks from the Editorial Board to the following researchers who also reviewed papers for this year: Lora ...
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ABSTRACT This studybrings together two debates: fears about an increasingly polarized electorate and the effects of uncivil political discourse, especially in the blogosphere. We explore the effects of an uncivil, attacking message on... more
ABSTRACT This studybrings together two debates: fears about an increasingly polarized electorate and the effects of uncivil political discourse, especially in the blogosphere. We explore the effects of an uncivil, attacking message on group identification and polarization. We find that uncivil messages provoke negative emotional responses among partisans, which can mediate changes in partisan identification, but this process depends on
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Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Health Communication, Public Opinion, Psychometrics, Content Analysis, Risk, and 13 moreHealth, Hong Kong, Newspapers, Library and Information Studies, Humans, Birds, United States, Animals, Comparative Analysis, South China, Media Coverage, Communication and media Studies, and Public health systems and services research
Although recent scholarship concerning political blogs has focused on blog content (Adamic & Glance, 2004; Bichard, 2006; Jackson, 2006; Rogers, 2005), the influence of blogs (Drezner... more
Although recent scholarship concerning political blogs has focused on blog content (Adamic & Glance, 2004; Bichard, 2006; Jackson, 2006; Rogers, 2005), the influence of blogs (Drezner & Farrell, 2004) and blog readers (Johnson & Kaye, 2004; Kaye, 2007), little research has been done on prominent political bloggers themselves. The absence of such research is noteworthy because blog content and frames are not constructed in a vacuum but are a product of the authoring agents and the organizational power structures within ...