Abstract
This study explored the cognitive structures that influence mobile information seekers’ intentions of promoting health behaviors. Using a nationwide self-reported survey (n = 1010) conducted by a national research institute in Korea, the present study conducted multiple regression analyses and moderated mediation tests for its analysis. The results showed that two of the three social cognitive components—i.e., health information orientation (HIO) and e-health literacy (EHL)—had a positive effect on users’ mobile health information seeking behaviors (MHIS), whereas informational social support (ISS) did not. Furthermore, the effects of the social cognition factors varied based on the type of health-promoting behaviors, and the types of health-related behavior predicted by the three factors also differed. Moreover, HIO was a factor that affected only nutritional intake among all of the health promotion behaviors, while ISS was a critical factor that predicted most health-related behaviors, except for the participants’ regular exercise (REX). The findings also indicated that the respondents’ levels of health efficacy and the extent of their health-related information seeking on mobile devices partially mediated the associations between the independent variables and their health-related behavioral outcomes. Among the mediated moderation effects of the three factors in social cognition theory (SCT), only the mediated effects of EHL were found to be significant. Based on these findings, the present study highlighted that the predictors of health-promoting behaviors may vary according to the features of the information seekers. The further implications of the study are also discussed.
Highlights
As innovative technologies marked by mobile applications incorporated into the internet have been applied to health-related products, a plethora of research has explored the effects of these technologies on individuals’ health-related behavioral outcomes [1,2]
The analysis showed that two social cognitive factors—health information orientation and e-health literacy—were strongly associated with levels of individuals’ mobile health-related information seeking (HIO, B = 0.36, SE = 0.05, p < 0.01; EHL, B = 0.23), while informational social support was not shown to be a predictor (ISS, B = 0.08, health-related self-efficacy (HSE) = 0.05, n.s.)
This study focused on the social cognition variables that contribute to the understanding of the structural association between cognitive factors and individuals’ health-promoting behaviors
Summary
As innovative technologies marked by mobile applications incorporated into the internet have been applied to health-related products, a plethora of research has explored the effects of these technologies on individuals’ health-related behavioral outcomes [1,2]. According to Lee et al, for example, the use of these communication technologies has helped to shape people’s health promotion behaviors, and they have suggested that, at present, the use of mobile technology is commonplace for health-related activities [3]. The models in the previous studies have not been able to fully explain the comprehensive cognitive structure of the information-seeking process that promotes health-related behaviors. A number of studies have presented conflicting findings. Stephens and Allen argue that mobile technology is expected to help increase physical activity and reduce weight [4]. Balatsoukas et al point out that the misuse of new technology can lead to potentially harmful consequences of inaccurate health information [5]
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