Clarifying the Relationship Between Information Seeking and Avoidance: Longitudinal Analyses of Information Behaviors and Their Normative Influences

Information seeking and avoidance are relevant behaviors to cope with health crises. While there are various assumptions about their relationship, past research has not yet analyzed their interplay. The present study aims to clarify the relationship between information seeking and avoidance in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and shed light on whether both behaviors are impacted by seeking- and avoidance-related norms, which are known factors in individuals' health- and risk-related behaviors. Based on a four-wave panel study conducted among German residents (n = 492), we investigated information seeking and avoidance and their normative influences from a longitudinal perspective. Results of random intercept cross-lagged panel models suggest that information seeking and avoidance are distinct, not causally related but correlated concepts. This understanding is supported by the findings that seeking- and avoidance-related norms operate differently for seeking and avoidance. The results add to construct clarification and theory development, but more research is needed to understand the relations between information behaviors.