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1 – 10 of over 105000Xueyan Dong, Zhenya Tang and Houcai Wang
Unverified information avoidance behavior refers to the conscious effort made by individuals to avoid consuming information that has not been verified by credible sources. This…
Abstract
Purpose
Unverified information avoidance behavior refers to the conscious effort made by individuals to avoid consuming information that has not been verified by credible sources. This behavior is essential in preventing the spread of misinformation that can hinder effective public health responses. While previous studies have examined information avoidance behavior in general, there is a lack of research specifically focusing on the avoidance of unverified information during health crises. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring factors that lead to social media users’ unverified information avoidance behavior during health crises, providing novel insights into the determinants of this protective behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
We based our research model on the health belief model and validated it using data collected from 424 individuals who use social media. The proposed model was tested by using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach.
Findings
Our results indicate that individuals’ government social media participation (following accounts and joining groups) affects their health beliefs (perceived severity and benefits of information avoidance), which in turn trigger their unverified information avoidance behavior.
Originality/value
Our study contributes to the current literature of social media crisis management and information avoidance behavior. The implications of these findings for policymakers, social media platforms and theory are further discussed.
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Muhammad Riaz, Wu Jie, Mrs Sherani, Sher Ali, Fredrick Ahenkora Boamah and Yan Zhu
Drawing upon social cognitive theory, this study aims to investigate the potential predictors and consequences of social media health-misinformation seeking behavior during the…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing upon social cognitive theory, this study aims to investigate the potential predictors and consequences of social media health-misinformation seeking behavior during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a sample of 230 international students studying at Wuhan University and Beijing Language and Cultural University, China, this study employs structural equation modeling to analyze the collected data.
Findings
The results indicate that personal factors such as lack of health information literacy, environmental factors, information overload and social media peer influence have a significant effect on behavior, namely social media health-misinformation seeking behavior, which further influences outcomes, namely social media users' anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, both lack of health information literacy and social media peer influence have significant and direct effects on social media users' anxiety. However, the direct effect of information overload on social media users' anxiety is insignificant.
Originality/value
First, this study contributes to the literature on the individuals' social media health-misinformation seeking behavior, its precursors and its consequences, specifically on their mental healthcare during a pandemic situation. Second, this research is one of the pioneer studies that extend social cognitive theory to the context of social media health-misinformation seeking behavior and users' anxiety relationship.
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Saira Hanif Soroya, Adeel Ur Rehman and Anthony Faiola
Quality of life is dependent on a healthy lifestyle and the self-care behavior of individuals. The study's purpose is to find out the determinants of individuals' self-care…
Abstract
Purpose
Quality of life is dependent on a healthy lifestyle and the self-care behavior of individuals. The study's purpose is to find out the determinants of individuals' self-care behavior. As such, self-care behavior is influenced by several factors that include individual knowledge, available information sources and their use, information-seeking related skills and cognitive state.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative research design followed using a questionnaire-based survey method. A total of 384 responses from the Pakistani public were collected using the convenience sampling technique. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed for examining the possible link between the variables.
Findings
Health literacy, Internet and social media use, and health information-seeking behavior had a direct/indirect positive impact on self-care behavior, but health anxiety had a negative impact. Health literacy and health information-seeking behavior positively mediated the relationship among Internet and social media use health anxiety and self-care.
Research limitations/implications
Improving health literacy appears to be key to supporting better self-care, but it is an exploratory study, more research is required to confirm these findings. Policymakers, health professionals and information professionals should work together to improve health literacy and support informed self-care among the population.
Originality/value
Thus far, no previous study has examined the collective role of social media exposure, health anxiety, health literacy and health information-seeking behavior as predictors of self-care behavior. Although self-care behavior among the general population might be different compared to chronic patients, only few studies have examined the former as a unit of analysis.
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Sik Sumaedi, Sumardjo, Amiruddin Saleh and Agus Fanar Syukri
During Covid-19 pandemic, Millennials, which are familiar with the Internet, may contribute in facing the pandemic by consistently sharing healthy food information. Thus, it is…
Abstract
Purpose
During Covid-19 pandemic, Millennials, which are familiar with the Internet, may contribute in facing the pandemic by consistently sharing healthy food information. Thus, it is important to improve Millennials online healthy food information-sharing behaviour during the Covid-19 pandemic. This research aims to examine the simultaneous effects of e-health literacy, knowledge of the digital health communication media (DHCM) use, facilitating conditions, information quality and source credibility on Millennials' online healthy food information-sharing behaviour during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was performed to collect the data. The respondents of the survey are 205 DHCM millennial users who lived in Tangerang Regency and Tangerang City, Indonesia. This research performed a multiple regression analysis to test the conceptual model and proposed hypotheses.
Findings
Millennials' online healthy food information-sharing behaviour during the Covid-19 pandemic was significantly affected by perceived threat of Covid-19, knowledge of the DHCM use and the facilitating conditions. However, it was not significantly affected by e-health literacy, information quality and source credibility.
Research limitations/implications
This research employed a purposive sampling technique. This research also was conducted only in Tangerang Regency and Tangerang City, Indonesia. In order to test the stability of the research findings, future research should be conducted in other contexts.
Practical implications
In order to improve Millennials' online healthy food information-sharing behaviour during the Covid-19 pandemic, it was essential to educate Millennials on the importance of healthy food consumption during the Covid-19 pandemic and their relationships. It is also important to enrich Millennials' knowledge of reliable and trustworthy online health information sources, such as the DHCM, and the search method. Furthermore, the facilitating conditions of online healthy food information-sharing behaviour should be improved.
Originality/value
It is well known that online healthy food information-sharing behaviour is important during Covid-19 pandemic. However, there is lack of study that specifically focused on Millennials' online healthy food information-sharing behaviour during the Covid-19 pandemic. This paper is the first that develops and tests a model of Millennials' online healthy food information-sharing behaviour during the Covid-19 pandemic. The model can be used to understand the behaviour and develop intervention strategy.
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Zhaohua Deng, Shan Liu and Oliver Hinz
Although the health information seeking behavior of consumers through the internet has received great attention, limited attempt has been made to integrate both the health…
Abstract
Purpose
Although the health information seeking behavior of consumers through the internet has received great attention, limited attempt has been made to integrate both the health information seeking behavior and the usage behavior in a mobile online context. The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors that influence consumer mobile health information seeking (MHIS) and usage behavior based on information quality, perceived value, personal health value, and trust.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was conducted to collect data. A two-step approach of structure equation modeling based was used to test the measurement model and hypothesis model.
Findings
Information quality, perceived value, and trust were found to have positive effects on both the intention to seek and to use health information, and that the intention to seek affects the intention to use. Among the three components of perceived value, the utilitarian and epistemic values were found to have significant effects on intention to seek. In addition, the current health status of health consumers moderates the relationships between MHIS and usage intention and their determinants.
Originality/value
Studies have primarily focussed on online health information seeking behavior, whereas a few of these studies have examined the seeking behavior intention and the usage behavior intention in a general model. The results indicate that health information usage behavior intention is closely related to the seeking behavior intention in the mobile context, which enriches the research on the relationship between information seeking and its outcomes. Furthermore, this study highlights the impact of information quality, perceived value, and trust on the intention to seek, and the impacts of information quality and trust on the intention to use, which have been overlooked in previous studies on MHIS.
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Zahra Shamlou, Mohammad Karim Saberi and Mohammad Reza Amiri
Today, the Internet has become an attractive source for obtaining health information. Since women play an important role in maintaining the health of the family and community and…
Abstract
Purpose
Today, the Internet has become an attractive source for obtaining health information. Since women play an important role in maintaining the health of the family and community and since they are active seekers of health information through the Internet, it is essential to examine their online health information seeking behavior. Therefore, the main purpose of this article is to identify the factors affecting the online health information seeking intention and behavior of women.
Design/methodology/approach
The theoretical framework of this quantitative study was based on the theory of planned behavior. A total of five hypothesized relationships were formulated to develop a conceptual model. The study approach was quantitative. Using simple random sampling, 400 women referred to specialized and sub-specialized clinics of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Iran participated in the study and responded to the survey. Descriptive and inferential data analysis was performed using SPSS 21 and Smart PLS 3 software.
Findings
The results showed that the intention to find health information online is a function of psychological variables. These variables include attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control. Findings showed that attitude is the most important factor affecting online health information seeking intention. It was also found that online health information seeking intention has a positive and significant effect on women's information seeking behavior.
Originality/value
This study is the first attempt to use an important and universally accepted theory to identify the factors affecting the online health information seeking behavior of women referring to specialized and sub-specialized clinics and provides important practical concepts for health officials and managers to improve and develop online health information seeking behavior.
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Jonas Tana, Emil Eirola and Kristina Eriksson-Backa
This paper brings focus and attention to the aspect of time within health information behaviour. The purpose of this paper is to critically assess and present strengths and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper brings focus and attention to the aspect of time within health information behaviour. The purpose of this paper is to critically assess and present strengths and weaknesses of utilising the infodemiology approach and metrics as a novel way to examine temporal variations and patterns of online health information behaviour. The approach is shortly exemplified by presenting empirical evidence for temporal patterns of health information behaviour on different time-scales.
Design/methodology/approach
A short review of online health information behaviour is presented and methodological barriers to studying the temporal nature of this behaviour are emphasised. To exemplify how the infodemiology approach and metrics can be utilised to examine temporal patterns, and to test the hypothesis of existing rhythmicity of health information behaviour, a brief analysis of longitudinal data from a large discussion forum is analysed.
Findings
Clear evidence of robust temporal patterns and variations of online health information behaviour are shown. The paper highlights that focussing on time and the question of when people engage in health information behaviour can have significant consequences.
Practical implications
Studying temporal patterns and trends for health information behaviour can help in creating optimal interventions and health promotion campaigns at optimal times. This can be highly beneficial for positive health outcomes.
Originality/value
A new methodological approach to study online health information behaviour from a temporal perspective, a phenomenon that has previously been neglected, is presented. Providing evidence for rhythmicity can complement existing epidemiological data for a more holistic picture of health and diseases, and their behavioural aspects.
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Nilani Priyanka Gunasekara, Warnakulasuriya Mahesh Niroshan Fernando and E.A.C.P. Karunarathne
Over the past few years, the internet has expanded rapidly, and it has been considered a systematic way that consumers use to retrieve health-related information. However, the…
Abstract
Purpose
Over the past few years, the internet has expanded rapidly, and it has been considered a systematic way that consumers use to retrieve health-related information. However, the existing literature does not provide an articulated view of online health information-seeking behaviour through an in-depth understanding of users’ searching-related behaviour. The objectives of this study are to identify the factors affecting consumers’ health-related internet use and recognise the relationships between those specified and health-related internet use. Finally, the recommendations are made based on the findings.
Design/methodology/approach
An amalgamated model of technology acceptance model and health belief model was used to hypothesise health-related internet use behaviour, which is then tested using a cross-sectional survey of 287 Sri Lankan managerial-level employees. The covariance-based structural equation modelling with AMOS was used to check the study hypotheses.
Findings
Findings of this study depict five factors contributing to consumers’ health-related internet use as follows: perceived health risk towards chronic diseases consisting of perceived susceptibility and perceived severity; health consciousness; perceived usefulness of the internet; perceived ease of internet use; and attitude towards health-related internet use. As theorised, the internet’s perceived usefulness was positively and significantly related to consumers’ use of health-related internet and attitude towards health-related internet use. But as hypothesised, perceived ease of internet use did not directly affect consumers’ use of health-related internet. Further, findings reveal that health-related internet use is estimated by perceived health risk than health consciousness.
Originality/value
Findings reveal that Sri Lankan managerial-level employees have a reactive health behaviour driven by the perceived health risk and the desire to seek online health information.
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Anumegha Sharma and Payal S. Kapoor
Technology has eased access to information. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, ease of access and transmission of information via social media has led to ambiguity…
Abstract
Purpose
Technology has eased access to information. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, ease of access and transmission of information via social media has led to ambiguity, misinformation and uncertainty. This research studies the aforementioned behaviours of information sharing and verification related to COVID-19, in the context of social media.
Design/methodology/approach
Two studies have been carried out. Study 1, with Indian social media users, is a two-factor between-subjects experimental design that investigated the effect of message polarity (positive versus negative) and message type (news versus rumour) on the dissemination and verification behaviour of COVID-19-related messages. The study also investigated the mediation of perceived message importance and health anxiety. Study 2 is a replica study conducted with US users.
Findings
The study finding revealed significantly higher message sharing for news than rumour. Further, for the Indian users, message with positive polarity led to higher message sharing and message with negative polarity led to higher verification behaviour. On the contrary, for the US users, message with negative polarity led to higher message sharing and message with positive polarity led to higher verification behaviour. Finally, the study revealed message importance mediates the relationship of message type and message sharing behaviour for Indian and US users; however, health anxiety mediation was significant only for Indian users.
Practical implications
The findings offer important implications related to information regulation during a health crisis. Unverified information sharing is harmful during a pandemic. The study sheds light on this behaviour such that stakeholders get insights and better manage the information being disseminated.
Originality/value
The study investigates the behaviour of sharing and verification of social media messages between users containing health information (news and rumour) related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-07-2020-0282
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