Kelly, Christopher A;
(2024)
Information-Seeking and Well-Being.
Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
In today's ‘information age’, understanding how information consumption impacts well being is vital. This thesis investigates the link between information-seeking behaviour and well-being, blending theory with empirical evidence. Chapter 2 tests Sharot and Sunstein's (2020) information-seeking theory. Across five studies, I demonstrate that information-seeking is driven by Instrumental, Hedonic, and Cognitive Utility. The weights individuals assign to these different motives when searching for information remain relatively stable over time and correlate with mental health. Chapter 3 explores the relationship between online information-seeking and well-being. Through four studies, I find that the emotional tone of online content shapes and reflects well-being. The emotional tone of websites users browse was analysed using natural language processing. It was found that negative content exposure was associated with decreased well-being. Experiments in which the valence of web content was manipulated and assessed mood, established a bi directional causal relationship between the two. Chapter 4 investigates how public and private stressors affect online search behaviours across three studies. Under stress, web queries shifted towards information than can guide action. For instance, during the pandemic, "How" queries on Google markedly increased. The number of “How” searches correlated with stress levels reported by 17K individuals weekly. An additional study showed that personal stressful events also selectively increased “How” searches. These patterns may be used as potential indicators of stress levels in a population. Chapter 5 introduces a Google Chrome plugin that scores webpages on Instrumental, Hedonic, and Cognitive Utility. This tool aids users in refining their online journey, potentially reducing the web's adverse effects on well-being and enhancing user experience. In conclusion, this thesis underscores the intricate tie between information seeking and well-being in today's digital age. Understanding search motivations, acknowledging the emotional impact of content, and utilising tools for mindful choices can pave the way for healthier digital navigation
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | Ph.D |
| Title: | Information-Seeking and Well-Being |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © The Author 2022. Original content in this thesis is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Any third-party copyright material present remains the property of its respective owner(s) and is licensed under its existing terms. Access may initially be restricted at the author’s request. |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences |
| URI: | https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10197515 |
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