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Journal of Health Psychology
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Personal and Social Comparison Information about Health Risk

Reaction to Information and Information Search

David P. French

University of Birmingham, UK, D.P.French.1{at}bham.ac.uk

David Hevey

Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland

Stephen Sutton

University of Cambridge, UK

Ann Louise Kinmonth

University of Cambridge, UK

Theresa M. Marteau

Kings College, London, UK

This study extended previous research on the impact of personal and social comparison information about health risk by asking respondents what other information they require. A total of 197 students responded to 1 of 12 vignettes describing hypothetical risks of developing pancreatic disease. These vignettes varied in terms of personal risk, comparison group risk and disease severity. Higher threat manipulations elicited higher ratings of negative affect, although perceived ambiguity moderated this effect. When information was more threatening, respondents requested more information, especially about controlling the disease threat. These results indicate the importance of providing unambiguous information, information about how to control a threat and information people want.

Key Words: ambiguity • risk communication • risk perception • social comparison

Journal of Health Psychology, Vol. 11, No. 3, 497-510 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/1359105306063324
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