Im, H. W., & Noh, G. Y. (2024). Managing Confusion: The Serial Mediation Effects of Exposure to Conflicting COVID-19 Vaccine Information Through Confusion and Cognitive Appraisals on Health Behavioral Intentions. Korean Journal of Communication Studies, 32(4), 79-105.

ABSTRACT 

Based on research on the effects of exposure to conflicting health information, uncertainty management theory, and the contradictory health information processing (CHIP) model, this study investigated how conflicting COVID-19 vaccine information affects COVID-19 vaccination intention, mediated by confusion and cognitive appraisals (i.e., backlash, and outcome expectations). An online survey of 1,000 Korean adults demonstrated that confusion mediated the relationships between conflicting COVID-19 vaccine information and cognitive appraisal outcomes (i.e., backlash, perceived benefits, and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination). It also showed the serial mediation effects of exposure to conflicting COVID-19 vaccine information through confusion and subsequent cognitive appraisals (backlash and perceived benefits of COVID-19 vaccination) on COVID-19 vaccination intentions. The findings theoretically contribute to expanding the understanding of the effects of conflicting information exposure by providing evidence of serial mediation, in which conflicting information exposure influences health behaviors through confusion and negative cognitive appraisals, highlighting the pivotal role of confusion in this mediation process