Counteracting sexual and reproductive health misperceptions: Investigating the roles of stigma, misinformation exposure, and information overload

Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) misperceptions constitute a critical precursor to undesired health outcomes for women. Drawing on the model of stigma management communication and exposure effects, we aimed to investigate the underlying processes of SRH misperceptions. A nationwide survey was conducted via quota sampling with Chinese women (N = 1000). Structural equation modeling with maximum likelihood estimation and 5000 bootstrapping resamples were used to test the hypotheses. Stigma perceptions positively predicted information avoidance (β = 0.207, p < 0.001), which, in turn, was positively associated with misperceptions (β = 0.195, p < 0.001). Misinformation exposure significantly predicted misperceptions (β = 0.607, p < 0.001), and this relationship was mediated by information avoidance (β = 0.020, 95% CI [0.007, 0.040]). Moreover, information overload strengthened the relationship between misinformation exposure and information avoidance (β = 0.153, p < 0.001) as well as the relationship between misinformation exposure and misperceptions (β = 0.077, p = 0.006). Stigma and misinformation exposure play prominent roles in the formation of SRH misperceptions. Information overload facilitates the misinformation-misperception transformation. To counteract SRH misperceptions, health education should alleviate SRH stigma perceptions and strategically design messages to avoid information avoidance and overload.