Changes of information needs and emotions during COVID-19: A longitudinal view

• Published in: Library & information science research Vol. 47; no. 3; p. 101367
• Main Authors: Liu, Jiaying Lizzy, Bessler, Sierrah, Zhang, Yan, Komi, Midori McKay, Chen, Annie T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.07.2025
• Subjects: Affective information behavior; Crisis informatics; Information seeking; Pandemic; Public healthcommunication; Qualitative; Social-ecological framework; Social-ecological framework; Information seeking; Crisis informatics; Public healthcommunication; Pandemic; Affective information behavior; Qualitative
• ISSN: 0740-8188
• DOI: 10.1016/j.lisr.2025.101367

This study examines how information-seeking behaviors evolved during the first year of COVID-19, addressing gaps in understanding longitudinal information and emotional needs during extended health crises. Eight hundred seventy-two U.S. adults were surveyed during Dec 2020-May 2021 using open-ended questions about information sought at pandemic onset versus survey time. Responses were analyzed using thematic analysis and the Social-Ecological Framework. Three key transitions in information needs emerged: from pandemic-specific to everyday life information, from individual to societal concerns, and from immediate to long-term considerations. Different patterns of emotional changes paralleled these informational shifts were identified. Contributing factors of these changes occurred at multiple ecological levels, individual, interpersonal, and societal, highlighting the complex, multilayered nature of influences on information-seeking behavior during crisis. These findings can inform how libraries and health communicators can better structure information services during extended health emergencies. Future research should explore affective influences on health information-seeking behaviors. •This study surveyed how people's long-term information needs and emotions changed throughout the pandemic period.•Qualitative investigation situated people's information needs and emotions in their lived experiences with COVID-19.•Respondents' information needs evolved from COVID-related to general, individual to societal, and present to long-term.•Social-Ecological Framework guided analysis of hierarchical factors impacting informational and emotional changes.