Virtual Communities as a Health Information Source: Examining Factors that Predict Individuals' Use of Social Media for Health Communication
Year: 2014
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine factors that predict the use of social media for health communication.Specifically, this study used the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as the theoretical framework to examine factors that predict health informationseeking, communicating health-related issues with others, and making health-related decisions via social media.Findings suggest that, consistent with the theory of planned behavior, attitude was found to be a significant predictor of using social media to seek out health information, participate in health communication, and make health-related decisions.However, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control failed to show as significant predictors of health communication via social media.Implications of these results for health communication via social media and recommendations for future health communication strategies were discussed.
Author: Tina M. Murray
Institution: University of Akron
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2564462567