Sultana, TahminaDhillon, GurpreetOliveira, Tiago2022-11-232024-12-312023-04-010268-4012PURE: 47877048PURE UUID: c03b4a0a-7dbf-4889-94c9-98770e902bedScopus: 85142869560WOS: 000891849500005ORCID: /0000-0001-6523-0809/work/123374909http://hdl.handle.net/10362/145746Sultana, T., Dhillon, G., & Oliveira, T. (2023). The Effect of Fear and Situational Motivation on Online Information Avoidance: The Case of COVID-19. International Journal Of Information Management, 69(April), 1-15. [102596]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2022.102596---%ABS2%---Funding Information: This work was supported by national funds through FCT ( Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia ) under the project - UIDB/04152/2020 - Centro de Investigação em Gestão de Informação (MagIC).During the COVID-19 pandemic, a plethora of online sources for information and news dissemination have emerged. Extant research suggests that very quickly, individuals become disinterested and begin avoiding the information. In this study, we investigate how an individual's fear and situational motivation impact Online Information Avoidance. Using the self-determination theory and information avoidance theories, we argue that fear and external regulation are associated with increased Online Information Avoidance. We also argue that intrinsic motivation and identified regulation are associated with a decrease in Online Information Avoidance. Our findings suggest that fear, intrinsic motivation, and external regulation drive Online Information Avoidance, where intrinsic motivation is the most significant driver. We also found that identified regulation is a crucial inhibitor of Online Information Avoidance. While focusing on COVID-19, our study contributes to the broader information systems research literature and specifically to the information avoidance literature during a pandemic or a prolonged crisis. Our study's findings will be useful for governments, health organizations, and communities that utilize online platforms, forums, and related outlets to reach larger audiences for disseminating pertinent information and recommendations during a crisis.15870014engOnline Information AvoidanceSelf-determination theoryfearsituational motivationCOVID-19Management Information SystemsInformation SystemsComputer Networks and CommunicationsInformation Systems and ManagementMarketingLibrary and Information SciencesArtificial IntelligenceSDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growthjournal article10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2022.102596https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85142869560https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000891849500005