Goal Disruption and Psychological Disequilibrium During the Outbreak of COVID-19: The Roles of Uncertainty, Information Seeking and Social Support

Health Commun. 2023 Oct;38(10):1994-2001. doi: 10.1080/10410236.2022.2049046. Epub 2022 Mar 13.

Abstract

Using panel data from mainland China, this study incorporates uncertainty, information seeking, and social support into the goal disruption theoretical model to examine the indirect influence of goal disruption on psychological disequilibrium through uncertainty and the moderating roles of information seeking and social support in this relationship. The results demonstrate that goal disruption causes uncertainty and then leads to psychological disequilibrium. Information seeking can reduce uncertainty and social support can attenuate psychological disequilibrium as well. Limitations and further directions are discussed.

Keywords: Goal disruption; information seeking; psychological disequilibrium; social support; uncertainty.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • China / epidemiology
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Goals
  • Humans
  • Information Seeking Behavior
  • Social Support
  • Uncertainty