Discussions of sexual health testing: Applying the theory of motivated information management

Abstract

To investigate how individuals seek and disclose information related to testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in sexual relationships, this study utilizes the revised theory of motivated information management (TMIM; Afifi & Morse, 2009). As part of a longitudinal design, 199 participants completed questionnaires assessing TMIM constructs. The hypothesized model was supported for individuals as seekers and providers of information regarding STI testing behaviors, and efficacy emerged as a mediator of seekers' negative emotional response and indirect information seeking and of providers' outcome expectancies and indirect information provision. Findings from this investigation support the workings of the revised TMIM and illustrate the importance of efficacy in information management decisions regarding STI testing behaviors between sexual partners.

Assessing the Structure of Efficacy and Outcome Expectancies in the Decision to Disclose Secrets: A Comparison of Contrasting Theories

“…This perspective is consistent with research that highlights the importance of people's perceived ability to cope in affecting their decisions to reveal secrets . This study also concurs with previous research regarding the significant predictive ability of communication efficacy on the decision to reveal secrets (Afifi & Caughlin, 2006;Afifi & Steuber, 2009;Caughlin et al, 2005) or other privileged information like STI testing status (Dillow & LaBelle, 2014).…”

Complex Considerations in Couples’ Financial Information Management: Extending the Theory of Motivated Information Management

“…Afifi & Weiner, 2006;Fowler & Afifi, 2011;Hovick, 2014;Rauscher & Hesse, 2014). Conversely, both indirect information seeking (Dillow & Labelle, 2014) and information avoidance (W. A. have previously been predicted by low levels of efficacy regarding direct information seeking. As yet, we are unaware of any TMIM studies that have tested associations between efficacy and cognitive reappraisal.…”

Applying the theory of motivated information management to family health history

“…2.2 | The role of the information provider in TMIM Afifi and Weiner (2004) articulated specific claims about the interconnected nature of the information seeker and information provider in TMIM (see Figure 1) but these remain largely untested (Afifi & Morse, 2009; for exception see Dillow & LaBelle, 2014). In the FHH context, when one spouse (i.e., the information seeker) realizes there is a discrepancy between how much they want to know about a partner's FHH and how much they actually know, they will perceive an uncertainty discrepancy.…”

“…TMIM has long emphasized the importance of both the information seeker and provider in information management processes but had been tested with a primary focus on the information seeker's perspective. Dillow and Labelle (2014) tested the associations among information providers' outcome expectancies, communication efficacy, and direct/indirect information provision, yet did not collect dyadic data to link the seeker's and provider's constructs. Using MSEM that accounted for the interdependence between the seeker and the provider (in this case, married couples), the findings suggest that spouses did influence each other's information seeking and provision behaviors in an interactive nature, especially in the information provision processes.…”

“…This article has been awarded Open Data Badge for making publicly available the digitallyshareable data necessary to reproduce the reported results. Data is available at Open Science Framework 2011, Afifi and Weiner (2006), and Dillow and LaBelle (2014).…”