Cited by 21Health Literacy and Information AccessibilityMental Health Treatment and AccessInformation Retrieval and Search Behavior

A Cross-Cultural Comparison of an Extended Planned Risk Information Seeking Model on Mental Health Among College Students: Cross-Sectional Study

Open access
Niu, Zhaomeng, Willoughby, Jessica Fitts, Mei, Jing, Li, Shaochun, Hu, Pengwei·2020·Journal of Medical Internet Research

Published version of a preprint

Abstract

Background: Approximately 42.5 million adults have been affected by mental illness in the United States in 2013, and 173 million people have been affected by a diagnosable psychiatric disorder in China. An increasing number of people tend to seek health information on the Web, and it is important to understand the factors associated with individuals’ mental health information seeking. Identifying factors associated with mental health information seeking may influence the disease progression of potential patients. Objective: This study aimed to test the planned risk information seeking model (PRISM) in China and the United States with a chronic disease, mental illness, and two additional factors, ie, media use and cultural identity, among college students. Methods: Data were collected in both countries using the same online survey through a survey management program (Qualtrics). In China, college instructors distributed the survey link among university students, and it was also posted on a leading social media site called Sina Weibo. In the United States, the data were collected in a college-wide survey pool in a large Northwestern university. Results: The final sample size was 235 for the Chinese sample and 241 for the US sample. Media use was significantly associated with mental health information–seeking intentions in the Chinese sample (P<.001), and cultural identity was significantly associated with intentions in both samples (China: P=.02; United States: P<.001). The extended PRISM had a better model fit than the original PRISM. Conclusions: Cultural identity and media use should be considered when evaluating the process of mental health information seeking or when designing interventions to address mental health information seeking.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This cross-sectional study tested an extended Planned Risk Information Seeking Model (PRISM) for mental health information seeking among college students in China and the United States. Adding media use and cultural identity improved model fit and explained more variance in seeking intentions in both samples.

Key findings

  • The original PRISM did not fit well in either sample, while the extended PRISM with media use and cultural identity had better fit: China extended PRISM RMSEA=0.050, CFI=0.96, TLI=0.93; US extended PRISM RMSEA=0.067, CFI=0.92, TLI=0.86.
  • Media use was significantly associated with mental health information-seeking intentions in the Chinese sample (β=.23; P<.001) but not in the US sample, so H1a was supported and H1b was not.
  • Cultural identity was significantly associated with seeking intentions in both samples (China: β=−.12, P=.02; US: β=−.19, P<.001), but negatively in both, so H2 was supported and H3 was not.
  • The extended model accounted for more variance in seeking intentions than the original PRISM: China 41.4% vs 35.9%; US 40.3% vs 30.6%.

Methods

  • Cross-sectional online survey administered via Qualtrics in both countries; final samples were 235 Chinese and 241 US college students.
  • US participants were recruited through a college-wide Sona subject pool at a large Northwestern university; Chinese participants were recruited via two university instructors and Sina Weibo, with snowball sampling.
  • Path analyses were conducted in Mplus version 7.11, with gender included as a control variable; measures included existing PRISM constructs plus adapted media use and cultural identity scales.

Limitations

  • The paper states that both samples were convenience samples of college students, limiting generalizability; the data were cross-sectional, so causality cannot be determined; and the relatively small sample size led to path analysis rather than structural equation modeling.
  • The paper also notes future studies could use a more general concept beyond a stigmatized personal risk and should explore the spiral role of media use.
  • Evident from the text: recruitment differed between countries (US Sona subject pool vs Chinese instructors/Sina Weibo/snowball sampling), and the Chinese sample was almost 90% female (n=209), which may affect comparability.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.2196/15817

Cites

46 of 46 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

5 of 52 cited sources checked · 2 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Findingcitation

    Some of the paths are inconsistent from past research regarding personal cancer risk using PRISM.

    “Some of the paths are inconsistent from past research regarding personal cancer risk using PRISM [29]”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
  • Findingown data

    In the Chinese sample, seeking-related subjective norms were not significantly related to perceived current knowledge.

    “seeking-related subjective norms were not significantly related to perceived current knowledge”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    In the Chinese extended model, media use was significantly associated with information seeking intention (β=.23; P<.001).

    “Attitude toward seeking (β=.22; P<.001), seeking-related subjective norms (β=.24; P<.001), affective response to risk (β=.24; P<.001), media use (β=.23; P<.001), and cultural identity (β=−.12; P=.02) were significantly associated with information seeking intention.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingnone given

    The extended PRISM had a better model fit than the original PRISM.

    “The extended PRISM had a better model fit than the original PRISM.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    In the Chinese extended model, affective response to risk was significantly associated with information seeking intention (β=.24; P<.001).

    “Attitude toward seeking (β=.22; P<.001), seeking-related subjective norms (β=.24; P<.001), affective response to risk (β=.24; P<.001), media use (β=.23; P<.001), and cultural identity (β=−.12; P=.02) were significantly associated with information seeking intention.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 43
  • May combine two claims. 31
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    A number of studies have shown that media use could influence perceived knowledge and intentions within the context of health.

    “A number of studies have shown that media use could influence perceived knowledge and intentions within the context of health [34-36].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim2 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [34] source
    • cites [35] source

      The Results (page not available) associate media use for health information with greater HPV-vaccine awareness among Latino immigrants. The Measures section (page not available) shows that the study asked whether participants had heard of HPV or its vaccine; it did not measure perceived knowledge or intentions. The source therefore supports the awareness aspect, but not the claim about intentions or a demonstrated influence of media use. (LLM, conf=0.87)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites [36] source

      The Results (page unavailable) link adolescents’ attention to crime and emergency shows with alcohol-related risk perceptions, and the Exposure and Attention as Endogenous or Mediating Variables section reports research linking attention to smoking messages with smoking intentions. These passages support media influence on health-related perceptions and intentions, but the copy does not establish an effect on perceived knowledge. (LLM, conf=0.86)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Horgan and Sweeney found that 30.8% of their participants, who were college students, had used the internet for information related to mental health, conducting searches mainly on depression.

    “Horgan and Sweeney [15] found that 30.8% of their participants, who were college students, had used the internet for information related to mental health, conducting searches mainly on depression.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Horgan and Sweeney [15] source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Previous studies have found that more than 20% of college students reported mental health problems in both China and the United States, and they are also heavy media users.

    “Previous studies have found that more than 20% of college students reported mental health problems in both China [18] and the United State [19], and they are also heavy media users [20].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [18] source
    • cites [19] source

      The Abstract reports depressive symptoms in 25% of men and 26% of women, supporting the cited sentence’s figure of more than 20%. But the sample comprised students seeking care at university clinics in the United States and Canada, not college students across the United States generally. The China and media-use portions are attached to other citations. (LLM, conf=0.86)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites [20] RideoutVJFoehrUGRobertsDFEducation Resources Information Center20102019-06-16Generation M2: Media in the Lives of 8- to 18-Year-Oldshttps://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED527859

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    US participants' ages ranged from 18 to 32 years (mean 20 years, SD 1.97).

    “Participants’ ages ranged from 18 to 32 years (mean 20 years, SD 1.97).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    In the Chinese sample, almost 90.0% (n=209) were female.

    “In the Chinese sample, almost 90.0% (n=209) were female.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Almost two-thirds of US respondents (n=160) reported being white and >10.0% (n=27) as Asian.

    “Almost two-thirds of the respondents (n=160) reported being white and >10.0% (n=27) as Asian.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the US sample, more than one-third reported being male (n=83) and less than three-quarters female (n=158).

    “In the US sample, more than one-third of the sample reported being male (n=83) and less than three-quarters, female (n=158).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The final sample size was 235 for the Chinese sample and 241 for the US sample.

    “The final sample size was 235 for the Chinese sample and 241 for the US sample.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Chinese respondents ranged from 18 to 27 years (mean 21 years, SD 7.98).

    “Respondents ranged from 18 to 27 years (mean 21 years, SD 7.98).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Both cultural identity and media use were associated with information-seeking intentions regarding mental health topics.

    “We found that both cultural identity and media use were associated with information-seeking intentions regarding mental health topics”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    There is evidence that Chinese value social norms more and are more likely to maintain the existing social structure than people from individualistic cultures.

    “There is evidence that Chinese value social norms more and are more likely to maintain the existing social structure than people from individualistic cultures [41,42].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [41] source
    • cites [42] source
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    PRISM proposes that affective response to risk and perceived knowledge insufficiency are positively related with seeking intent.

    “affective response to risk and perceived knowledge insufficiency will be positively related with seeking intent;”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [22] source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The cultural identity scale had Cronbach alpha .87 in the US and .76 in China.

    “Some items were reverse coded, and all items were averaged to create a scale (United States: alpha=.87, mean 5.68, SD 1.89; China: alpha=.76, mean 5.33, SD 1.67).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The seeking intentions scale had Cronbach alpha .97 in the US and .94 in China.

    “Items were averaged to create a scale (United States: alpha=.97, mean 2.90, SD 1.07; China: alpha=.94, mean 2.98, SD 1.01).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The planned risk information seeking model (PRISM) was developed in 2010 by Kahlor by integrating multiple information seeking models including the theory of planned behavior, the risk information seeking and processing (RISP) model, and the augmented RISP model.

    “In 2010, Kahlor [22] developed the planned risk information seeking model (PRISM) by integrating multiple information seeking models including the theory of planned behavior [23], the risk information seeking and processing (RISP) model [24], and the augmented RISP model [25].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Kahlor [22]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites [23] Ajzen, I, 1985, Action-Control: From Cognition to Behavior source
    • cites [24] source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The perceived seeking control scale had Cronbach alpha .90 in the US and .91 in China.

    “Items were averaged to create a scale (United States: alpha=.90, mean 3.47, SD 0.91; China: alpha=.91, mean 3.23, SD 0.98).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    One cross-cultural study discovered that people from different cultures, such as a communitarian Chinese culture and an individualistic US culture, tend to perceive variables differently in risk information seeking.

    “One cross-cultural study discovered that people from different cultures, such as a communitarian culture (eg, Chinese culture) and an individualistic culture (eg, US culture), tend to perceive variables differently in risk information seeking [38].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [38] source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Two students volunteered to pretest the survey, and the completion time was around 15 min.

    “Two students volunteered to pretest the survey, and the completion time was around 15 min.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Previous research found media use to be a mediator in PRISM for predicting impersonal risk information seeking, specifically examining climate change.

    “Previous research found media use to be a mediator in PRISM for predicting impersonal risk information seeking, specifically examining climate change [27].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [27] source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    People who engage with one media channel for health information are more likely to engage with other media channels in their search for health information.

    “In addition, people who engage with one media channel for health information are more likely to engage with other media channels in their search for health information [33].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [33] source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The models included gender as a control variable.

    “The models included gender as a control variable.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    The University Institutional Review Board reviewed the study proposal, and the project was determined to be exempt for both samples.

    “The University Institutional Review Board reviewed the study proposal, and the project was determined to be exempt for both samples.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Some Asians see admitting to having a mental illness as bringing disgrace to the family and believe that willpower could maintain mental health to some extent.

    “Some Asians see admitting to having a mental illness as bringing disgrace to the family and believe that willpower could maintain mental health to some extent [6,7].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [6] source
    • cites [7] Zane, N, 2003, Acculturation: Advances in Theory, Measurement, and Applied Research

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). The quote only partly states this claim.

    Study design and conductown data

    The Chinese data collection completion rate was 77.6%.

    “The data collection lasted for about a month, and the completion rate was 77.6%.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In the United States, there is stigma around mental health, and negative attitudes toward mental illness are pervasive even among professional health care workers.

    “In the United States as well, there is stigma around mental health. Even among professional health care workers, negative attitudes toward mental illness are pervasive [10].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [10] source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The seeking-related subjective norms scale had Cronbach alpha .92 in the US and .91 in China.

    “Items were averaged to create a scale (United States: alpha=.92, mean 2.81, SD 1.13; China: alpha=.91, mean 2.62, SD 1.03).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    College may be a risky time for students' mental health, and college students tend to feel depressed and anxious during their college life.

    “College may also be a risky time for students’ mental health, and college students tend to feel depressed and anxious during their college life [17].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [17] National Alliance on Mental Illness20162019-06-16Starting the conversation: College and your mental healthhttp://nami.org/collegeguide/download

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    Incomplete questionnaires and surveys that took less than 2 min to complete were not included in the final analysis.

    “Incomplete questionnaires and surveys that took less than 2 min to complete were not included in the final analysis.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    PRISM proposes that perceived knowledge partially mediates the effects of attitude, seeking-related subjective norms, and perceived control on perceived knowledge insufficiency.

    “perceived knowledge partially mediates the effects of attitude, seeking-related subjective norms, and perceived control on perceived knowledge insufficiency;”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [22] source
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Ho et al extended PRISM in Singapore by adding media use and found the extended PRISM had a better fit than PRISM.

    “However, Ho et al [27] extended PRISM in Singapore by adding media use and found the extended PRISM had a better fit than the PRISM.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Ho et al [27]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The media use scale had Cronbach alpha .82 in the US and .84 in China.

    “Items were averaged to create a scale (United States: alpha=.82, mean 3.34, SD 1.17; China: alpha=.84, mean 3.47, SD 1.22).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Three-quarters of all chronic mental illnesses begin by the age of 24 years.

    “This may be tied to the age of onset for mental illness; three-quarters of all chronic mental illnesses begins by the age of 24 years [16].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [16] National Alliance on Mental Illness2017-02-02Mental health facts in Americahttp://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/Infographics/GeneralMHFacts.pdf

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    PRISM proposes that subjective norms, attitude toward seeking, and perceived seeking control are positively associated with seeking intent.

    “PRISM [22] proposes that subjective norms, attitude toward seeking, and perceived seeking control will be positively associated with seeking intent;”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [22] source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The questionnaire was translated into Chinese and cross-examined by an English instructor of a university in China to verify whether the two survey versions were consistent.

    “The questionnaire was translated into Chinese and was cross-examined by an English instructor of a university in China to verify whether the 2 survey versions were consistent.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The attitude toward seeking scale had Cronbach alpha .95 in the US and .90 in China.

    “Items were averaged to create a scale (United States: alpha=.95, mean 5.91, SD 1.11; China: alpha=.90, mean 5.56, SD 0.97).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The risk perception scale had Cronbach alpha .88 in both the US and China.

    “Items were averaged to create a scale (United States: alpha=.88, mean 3.86, SD 2.31; China: alpha=.88, mean 5.32, SD 2.30).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Willoughby and Myrick found that PRISM was a good fit for sexual health and cancer, although some paths were not supported.

    “Willoughby and Myrick [28] found, in an examination of PRISM in two health contexts, that although some of the paths were not supported in the model, PRISM was a good fit for two health contexts: sexual health and cancer.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Willoughby and Myrick [28] source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The affective response scale had Cronbach alpha .94 in the US and .89 in China.

    “The items were averaged to create a scale (United States: alpha=.94, mean 2.39, SD 1.26; China: alpha=.89, mean 2.76, SD 1.14).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Media use has been found to be associated with health information seeking for impersonal risk.

    “Media use has been found to be associated with health information seeking for impersonal risk [27,32].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [27] source
    • cites [32] source
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductcitation

    The study used existing measures of attitude toward seeking, subjective norms, perceived seeking control, perceived current knowledge, risk perception, affective response, perceived knowledge insufficiency, and seeking intent from Kahlor.

    “We used the existing measures of attitude toward seeking, subjective norms, perceived seeking control, perceived current knowledge, risk perception, affective response, perceived knowledge insufficiency, and seeking intent from Kahlor [22].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Kahlor [22]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Hovick et al found that original PRISM variables better fit their data than an expanded model with past seeking behavior, source beliefs, and outcome expectancies in the context of cancer risk.

    “Hovick et al [29] found that original variables in PRISM better fit their data than an expanded model with past seeking behavior, source beliefs, and outcome expectancies regarding the context of cancer risk.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Hovick et al [29]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The cultural value of the United States is recognized as individualistic, and people from individualistic cultures are more likely to accept mental health counseling.

    “Moreover, the cultural value of the United States is recognized as individualistic [39], and people from individualistic cultures are more likely to accept mental health counseling [6].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [39] source
    • cites [6] source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    PRISM proposes that risk perception is positively related to affective risk response.

    “and risk perception will be positively related to affective risk response.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [22] source
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    People in the United States who are not mental health professionals tend to recognize serious mental issues such as schizophrenia as mental illness, while mental disorders such as depression and paranoia are often not perceived as mental disorders.

    “People in the United States who are not mental health professionals tend to recognize serious mental issues, such as schizophrenia, as mental illness. Mental disorders, such as depression and paranoia, which also require proper treatment, are often not perceived as mental disorders [3,4].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [3] source
    • cites [4] source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Kahlor's assessment of PRISM on general health risk information seeking found the model a good fit, although the predicted path from knowledge insufficiency to seeking intent was not supported.

    “When proposing PRISM, Kahlor [22] assessed the topic of general health risk information seeking, finding the model a good fit for the data, although the predicted path of knowledge insufficiency to seeking intent was not supported.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Kahlor [22]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Additional research has found support for PRISM as an acceptable model for predicting information seeking intentions.

    “Additional research has found support for PRISM to be an acceptable model for predicting information seeking intentions [26-28].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [26] source
    • cites [27] source
    • cites [28] source
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Chinese culture, as a typical Asian culture, is known as highly collectivistic with value placed on group members' opinions and a focus on cooperation in group settings.

    “Chinese culture, as a typical Asian culture, is known as highly collectivistic with value placed on group members’ opinions and a focus on cooperation in group settings [39,40].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [39] source
    • cites [40] source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Traditional Chinese culture and the history of medicine do not define mental illness separately from neurological disorders.

    “Traditional Chinese culture and the history of medicine do not define mental illness separately from neurological disorders [8], whereas in the United Sates, psychiatrists are trying to incorporate medical treatment with counseling services that can help analyze the social and environmental factors of patients.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [8] source
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The measurements were used in former studies and have high reliability (high Cronbach alpha).

    “As the measurements were used in former studies and have high reliability (high Cronbach alpha), we computed the items to create one variable for each construct and then conducted path analyses in Mplus version 7.11 to evaluate the paths and model fit.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The US data collection completion rate was 96.78%.

    “The data collection process lasted less than 2 months. The completion rate was 96.78%.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The study used cross-sectional data and only measured variables at a specific time point without the ability to decide causality.

    “Second, this study used cross-sectional data and only measured variables at a specific time point without the ability to decide causality.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductown data

    Due to a relatively small sample size, the study chose to conduct a path analysis.

    “Third, due to a relatively small sample size, we chose to conduct a path analysis.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Previous research has found that an unclear cultural identity could reflect a high level of normlessness, which means no clear norms guidance.

    “Previous research has found that an unclear cultural identity could reflect a high level of normlessness, which means no clear norms guidance [37].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [37] source
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    A lower level of cultural identity may act as an unclear group identity to reduce the constraints of a group culture, which could have a direct influence on mental health information seeking.

    “This finding reveals that for an issue, which was perceived as stigmatized in both individualistic and collectivistic cultures [6,10], a lower level of cultural identity may act as an unclear group identity to reduce the constraints of a group culture, which could have a direct influence on mental health information seeking.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [6] source
    • cites [10] source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Cultural identity is positively related to self-esteem and well-being.

    “Cultural identity is positively related to self-esteem and well-being [48].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [48] source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    The results of using the sample of college students may not generalize to other subgroups.

    “The results of using the sample of college students may not generalize to other subgroups”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The study used a convenience sample for both populations.

    “First, we used a convenience sample for both populations.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Media use and cultural identity can be two variables useful for predicting seeking intentions regarding personal risks such as mental health.

    “Overall, we found that media use and cultural identity can be two variables useful for predicting seeking intentions regarding personal risks such as mental health.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
58 of 58
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Few studies have replicated PRISM outside the United States and/or compared relationships within PRISM under different cultural contexts.

    “Few studies have replicated PRISM outside the United States and/or compared the relationships within PRISM under different cultural contexts.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    No previous study has examined mental health as a personal risk in different cultures.

    “No previous study has examined mental health as a personal risk in different cultures.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Media use has not been assessed as a predictor in PRISM when examining personal risks.

    “Media use has not been assessed as a predictor in PRISM when examining personal risks.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Little research has examined the relationship between media use and variables within PRISM under the context of mental health.

    “Little research has examined the relationship between media use and variables within PRISM under the context of mental health.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Few studies about information seeking have examined the role of cultural values and how different levels of cultural identity affect the process of information seeking.

    “Few studies about information seeking have examined the role of cultural values and how different levels of cultural identity affect the process of information seeking.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The United States and China are two typical but distinct cultures that can represent different populations in mental health information seeking.

    “As the United States and China are two typical but distinct cultures that can represent different populations in mental health information seeking, a cross-cultural study was conducted in these 2 countries among college students.”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Mental health problems are stigmatized in China while less so in the United States.

    “based on the assumption that mental health problems are stigmatized in China while less so in the United States”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Early interventional treatment of mental health and access to additional information during long-term treatment can significantly affect the prognosis of patients.

    “As a chronic disease, early interventional treatment of mental health and the access to additional information during long-term treatment can significantly affect the prognosis of patients”
8 of 8

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Chinese age SD is impossible for the stated range

    Minor

    With all Chinese respondents aged 18 to 27, their ages cannot have a standard deviation of 7.98 years; even the largest possible SD for that range is approximately 4.5 years.

  • Model-fit table labels noninteger values as degrees of freedom

    Minor

    The column heading identifies the parenthesized numbers as degrees of freedom, but values such as 2.41 cannot be degrees of freedom for the reported chi-square tests. All four rows have noninteger parenthesized values.

2 of 2

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Niu, Z., Willoughby, J. F., Mei, J., Li, S., & Hu, P.
Affiliations
  • Rutgers Cancer Institute (US)
  • Washington State University (US)
  • IBM Research (China) (CN)
Corresponding author
Hu, Pengwei
Venue
Journal of Medical Internet Research
Published
2020-05-22
Volume
22
Issue
5
Pages
e15817
ISSN
1438-8871 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3021212622
Cited by
21
References
45
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 4
FWCI
3.39
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Journal of Medical Internet Research (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Information Retrieval and Search Behavior
Keywords
mental health information seeking, university students, cross-cultural comparison, cultural identity, media use, theory of planned behavior, China, United States
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Cross-Sectional Studies, Cross-Cultural Comparison, Female, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Students, Universities, Young Adult, Information Seeking Behavior

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-11-04.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-11-04.

Cited sources are checked by gpt-6-sol.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

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