Health-related Information Seeking Research Articles

Influence of digital health literacy on online health-related behaviors influenced by internet advertising

BackgroundThe frequency of health-related information seeking on the internet and social media platforms has increased remarkably. Thus, the ability to understand and select accurate health-related information online, known as EHealth literacy, is crucial for the population. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate how eHealth literacy influences the critical analysis of oral health-related information obtained from the Internet and its influence on oral health-related behaviors. MethodsA cross-sectional online study was conducted with 418 Brazilian adults who responded to the eHEALS questionnaire, with questions regarding the influence of online information on oral health decisions. Socioeconomic and demographic characteristics were also collected.ResultsThe mean eHEALS score was 27.85 (± 8.13), with a range spanning from 8 to 40 points. Participants with higher eHEALS scores reported using social media platforms to seek for dentists and to acque information about symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments. Furthermore, this group tended not to disregard professional health recommendations based on Internet information and abstained from utilizing products promoted by digital influencers. In multivariate models, increased eHEALS scores were associated with reduced consumption of products endorsed by digital influencers.ConclusionsThe findings from this study suggest that individuals with higher scores on the eHealth literacy questionnaire often conduct research on their health status and seek for health care providers on the Internet. Moreover, these individuals were less likely to be influenced by digital influencers.

Lessons learned for infodemics management in future health crises by studying the fear of COVID-19 impact on health information seeking of general population

PurposeThe higher-level aim of this study is to investigate the impact of health information needs satisfaction on the fear of COVID-19 for the general population. The investigation is theoretically grounded on Wilsons’ model of information seeking in the context of inquesting the reasons for seeking health information as well as the information sources the general population deploy during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThis cross-sectional survey examines the correlations between health information seeking behavior and the COVID-19 generated fear in the general population through the application of a specially designed structured questionnaire which was distributed online. The questionnaire comprised four main distinct research dimensions (i.e. information needs, information sources, obstacles when seeking information and COVID-19 generated fear) that present significant validity levels.FindingsIndividuals were motivated to seek COVID-related health information to cope with the pandemic generated uncertainty. Information needs satisfaction as well as digital health literacy levels is associated with the COVID-19 generated fear in the general population. Finally, a conceptual framework based on Wilsons’ macro-model for information seeking behavior was developed to illustrate information needs satisfaction during the pandemic period. These results indicate the need for incentives to enhance health information needs satisfaction appropriately.Originality/valueThe COVID-19 generated fear in the general population is studied through the information seeking behavior lenses. A well-studied theoretical model for information seeking behavior is adopted for health-related information seeking during pandemic. Finally, digital health information literacy levels are also associated with the fear of COVID-19 reported in the authors’ survey.

Adaptation of the Digital Health Literacy Instrument and testing with German school-aged children

Abstract Background Children and adolescents in particular navigate in the digital space intensively and use the Internet, social media, and apps to seek health related information. From a public health perspective, the increasing amount of online-based information requires them to possess the abilities to find, understand, evaluate, and apply health information, making digital health literacy more and more important. The Digital Health Literacy Instruments (DHLI) is a psychometrically tested instrument for assessing digital health literacy in adults, which has been adapted for children and adolescents in the United States, using cognitive interviews. However, this version has not yet been adapted for Germany. Hence, the aim of this study is to adapt and test a German version of DHLI for secondary schoolchildren. Methods The pretest tool was translated into German by three native speakers. To test the translated version of the DHLI adapted for secondary schoolchildren, cognitive pretests were conducted with N = 12 children and adolescents aged 10-17 years. The thinking aloud method and probing questions were used during the pretests. The aim of the evaluation was to maximize usability and comprehensibility of the adapted version for schoolchildren in Germany. Results In order to adapt the instrument for a German target group, preferred synonyms were identified during the pretests, as well as a preferred word collocation for health information, namely ‘information about health,’ which was used consistently for all items. Furthermore, two explanations were added in one instruction and one item. Conclusions Based on the results of the pretest analysis, a German version of the DHLI for children and adolescents is now available. Psychometric properties and the methodological quality of the schoolchildren's version of the DHLI have been analyzed in a representative quantitative study, shown in the subsequent presentation.

Toward an Understanding of University Students’ Information Behavior and Challenges When Experiencing Mental Health Symptoms

This poster reports the findings from an analysis of an online survey of 224 university students (undergraduate or graduate) who experienced common mental health symptoms such as stress, anxiety, or depression. The survey questions addressed respondents’ basic demographics and mental health conditions (using the PHQ-4 questionnaire) and explored their information needs, help-seeking behavior, information-seeking behavior, and information-seeking satisfaction when experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression symptoms. While “Information on the Internet” was the most commonly used source of information for their mental health-related information seeking, “Information on the Internet” was not the most satisfactory source of information in terms of helping them meet their information needs. Further analysis of the relationships between respondents’ mental health conditions, demographics, and mental health-related information behavior (MHIB) indicates what factors shape university students’ MHIB and what challenges they may face in their MHIB. Based on the findings and analyses, we aim to provide insights for researchers and practitioners into designing technology, programs, and services to help with university students’ mental health-related information seeking and well-being.

Access to Information and Communication Technology, Digital Skills, and Perceived Well-Being among Older Adults in Hong Kong.

Population aging is a major concern worldwide. Active aging should be promoted by increasing the social participation of older adults and enabling them to remain involved in the community. Research has demonstrated the utility of digital resources for addressing the needs of older adults, which include networking, entertaining, and seeking health-related information. However, the digital divide among older adults (i.e., the "gray digital divide") is increasingly being recognized as a social problem that may be related to poor well-being. To obtain updated local data on the prevalence of Internet access and usage and their relationship with perceived well-being, we conducted telephone interviews with a random sample of 1018 older adults in Hong Kong from January to July 2021 (This research has received funding support from the Interdisciplinary Research Matching Scheme, Hong Kong Baptist University). We found that only 76.5% of the participants had Internet access at home, a mobile phone data plan, or both, whereas 36.3% had never used Internet services and 18.2% had no digital devices. A younger age, male gender, higher education level, living with others, and higher self-perceived social class were associated with material access to digital devices and everyday use of Internet services. Participants who accessed the Internet every day had higher levels of life satisfaction and self-rated physical and mental health than those who rarely or never used the Internet. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that digital skills were significantly associated with self-rated mental health even when controlling for demographic variables (including age, gender, education level, and self-perceived social class). This study contributes to the limited body of literature on the relationship between Internet use, digital skills, and perceived well-being. Our findings highlight the importance of addressing the digital divide even in cities with high penetration of information and communication technology, such as Hong Kong. We also discuss our insights into the use of timely interventions for older adults to address the gray digital divide.

Measuring health information literacy in everyday life: a survey among tribal women in a developing country

Purpose This study aims to assess tribal women’s health information literacy in their daily lives. The specific objectives are to determine the tribe’s interest and frequency of seeking health-related information, to know their preferred health information sources and health-care methods for treatment and to find out the prospective barriers to searching for and finding health-related information. Design/methodology/approach A well-structured questionnaire was designed and surveyed among the tribal women of Khagrachhari, Bandarban and Mymensingh districts in Bangladesh. Stratified sampling was used, and 326 responses were retrieved. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 and Microsoft Excel. Findings Most of the tribal women are satisfied with their current health condition. Though they are highly interested in health-related information, they are very unusual in terms of searching for this kind of information. Vaccination information is their most desired information, and allopathic treatment is highly preferred by them. In this regard, they consult with doctors at nearby community clinics or government hospitals for different health issues. However, health information terminologies are often difficult for them to understand. High costs, lack of awareness and distance from health centers are significant barriers for tribal women seeking health-related information. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first known effort in a developing country to study tribal women’s concerns regarding health-related issues.

Untangling the effect of cognitive trust and perceived value on health-related information seeking, sharing and psychological well-being: Motivations sought perspective

Previous literature has documented that mobile application utilization increased exponentially throughout the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic. To comprehend the possible antecedents of individuals’ psychological well-being, this research invokes motivation theory and associated literature on perceived assessment (cognitive trust, perceived value, and perceived threat) to comprehensively investigate the determinants of factors influencing mobile app users’ health-related information behaviors and psychological outcomes. Data were gathered collected from 898 users of mobile apps, and this article adopted structural equation modeling (SEM) to evaluate the hypothesis generation model. Obtained findings demonstrated that cognitive trust and perceived value positively impacted seeking and sharing health-related information, which subsequently benefited individuals’ psychological well-being during the public health crisis. Furthermore, perceived threat exerted a negative impact on seeking and sharing health-related information. These results contribute to existing studies on psychological well-being by broadening the antecedence domain of information practices and revealing the underlying psychological mechanism behind this dynamic process. This study could also benefit practitioners by providing insights into embedded system and mobile app development, which would play a pivotal role in enhancing user experiences that optimize psychological well-being.

The Association between Online Health-related Information Seeking Behavior and Self-care Activities among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus in Saudi Arabia

Objectives: Identify the association between online H.I. seeking behavior and the self-care practice among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit 406 patients with DM. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Results: A total of 211 of the participants used the internet and/or social media to seek H.I. Most of the participants (44.4%) had been using the internet for the last 6 to 10 years. The majority used YouTube (72.7%) and Twitter (55.2%) when seeking H.I.. Significant association between seeking online H.I. and practicing self-care activities, includes testing blood sugar, drinking juice to treat hypoglycemia, having a glucagon kit at home, doing interventional action in case of severe hyperglycemia, checking their feet regularly, and visiting their doctors' clinic periodically. Conclusions: Older age and low -educated people are less likely to seek online H.I. about DM management. The participants who were seeking online H.I. were more likely to do self-care activities to manage DM disease and prevent DM complications.

Health information seeking behaviour during exceptional times: A case study of Persian-speaking minorities in Finland

Literature on minorities' health-related information seeking shows that minorities, like non-minorities, require access to accurate and timely information, but they also need information in a range of languages and from a variety of sources. Health-related information seeking behaviour of Persian-speaking minorities living in Finland, explicitly focused on the COVID-19 pandemic situation, was investigated. Eighteen semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the extended Longo Health Information Model was used as a theoretical lens for analysing the data. The results point to several factors that can improve the outcome of minorities' health-related information seeking behaviours and activities, such as providing information related to their personal health, a deeper understanding of factors influencing the quality of health conditions at the individual or household level and broadcasting the latest health-related information in different languages and emphasize the needs for mental health-related information and services. The findings suggest that not only healthcare providers, immigration officials, and policymakers should be aware of the specific health-related information that minorities require, seek, and use during times of adversity, but also the extent to which how the identified factors influence the process of minorities' seeking health-related information.

Seeking and Sharing Mental Health Information on Social Media During COVID-19: Role of Depression and Anxiety, Peer Support, and Health Benefits.

This study conducted a cross-sectional online survey (N = 865) to determine whether self-ratings of depression and anxiety, perceived peer support, and perceived health benefits of social media predicted mental health–related information seeking and sharing behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hierarchical regression models showed only depression self-ratings, anxiety self-ratings, and perceived health benefits predicted information seeking, whereas depression self-ratings, anxiety self-ratings, perceived peer support, and perceived health benefits all predicted information sharing. There was a statistically significant positive interaction of anxiety self-ratings and perceived peer support on information sharing. Participants’ experience of COVID-19 predicted both information seeking and sharing. Mental health–related information seeking and sharing differed across social media platforms, with YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram used most for information seeking and Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter used most for information sharing. Findings suggest social media mental health–related seeking and sharing behaviors have the potential to facilitate coping surrounding mental health.

Health-Related Information Seeking During COVID-19: Testing the Comprehensive Model of Information Seeking on University Students of Pakistan

Health-Related Information Seeking During COVID-19: Testing the Comprehensive Model of Information Seeking on University Students of Pakistan

Knowledge translation strategies for sharing evidence-based health information with older adults and their caregivers: findings from a persona-scenario method

BackgroundBy understanding the information seeking behaviors of older adults, we can better develop or iterate effective information technologies, such as the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal, that provide evidence-based health information to the public. This paper reports health-related information seeking and searching behaviours and provides strategies for effective knowledge translation (KT) to increase awareness and use of reliable health information.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative study with eighteen older adults using the persona-scenario method, whereby participants created personas and scenarios describing older adults seeking health information. Scenarios were analyzed using a two-phase inductive qualitative approach, with the personas as context. From the findings related to pathways of engaging with health information, we identified targeted KT strategies to raise awareness and uptake of evidence-based information resources.ResultsTwelve women and six men, 60 to 81 years of age, participated. In pairs, they created twelve personas that captured rural and urban, male and female, and immigrant perspectives. Some scenarios described older adults who did not engage directly with technology, but rather accessed information indirectly through other sources or preferred nondigital modes of delivery. Two major themes regarding KT considerations were identified: connecting to information via other people and personal venues (people included healthcare professionals, librarians, and personal networks; personal venues included clinics, libraries, pharmacies, and community gatherings); and health information delivery formats, (e.g., printed and multimedia formats for web-based resources). For each theme, and any identified subthemes, corresponding sets of suggested KT strategies are presented.ConclusionsOur findings underline the importance of people, venues, and formats in the actions of older adults seeking trusted health information and highlight the need for enhanced KT strategies to share information across personal and professional networks of older adults. KT strategies that could be employed by organizations or communities sharing evidence-based, reliable health information include combinations of educational outreach and materials, decision support tools, small group sessions, publicity campaigns, champions/opinion leaders, and conferences.

Pragmatics to Reveal Intent in Social Media Peer Interactions: Mixed Methods Study.

BackgroundOnline health communities (OHCs) have emerged as the leading venues for behavior change and health-related information seeking. The soul and success of these digital platforms lie in their ability to foster social togetherness and a sense of community by providing personalized support. However, we have a minimal understanding of how conversational posts in these settings lead to collaborative societies and ultimately result in positive health changes through social influence.ObjectiveOur objective is to develop a content-specific and intent-sensitive methodological framework for analyzing peer interactions in OHCs.MethodsWe developed and applied a mixed-methods approach to understand the manifestation of expressions in peer interactions in OHCs. We applied our approach to describe online social dialogue in the context of two online communities, QuitNet (QN) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) support community. A total of 3011 randomly selected peer interactions (n=2005 from QN, n=1006 from ADA) were analyzed. Specifically, we conducted thematic analysis to characterize communication content and linguistic expressions (speech acts) embedded within the two data sets. We also developed an empirical user persona based on their engagement levels and behavior profiles. Further, we examined the association between speech acts and communication themes across observed tiers of user engagement and self-reported behavior profiles using the chi-square test or the Fisher test.ResultsAlthough social support, the most prevalent communication theme in both communities, was expressed in several subtle manners, the prevalence of emotions was higher in the tobacco cessation community and assertions were higher in the diabetes self-management (DSM) community. Specific communication theme-speech act relationships were revealed, such as the social support theme was significantly associated (P<.05) with 9 speech acts from a total of 10 speech acts (ie, assertion, commissive, declarative, desire, directive, expressive, question, stance, and statement) within the QN community. Only four speech acts (ie, commissive, emotion, expressive, and stance) were significantly associated (P<.05) with the social support theme in the ADA community. The speech acts were also significantly associated with the users’ abstinence status within the QN community and with the users’ lifestyle status within the ADA community (P<.05).ConclusionsSuch an overlay of communication intent implicit in online peer interactions alongside content-specific theory-linked characterizations of social media discourse can inform the development of effective digital health technologies in the field of health promotion and behavior change. Our analysis revealed a rich gradient of expressions across a standardized thematic vocabulary, with a distinct variation in emotional and informational needs, depending on the behavioral and disease management profiles within and across the communities. This signifies the need and opportunities for coupling pragmatic messaging in digital therapeutics and care management pathways for personalized support.

Health-Related Information Seeking During COVID-19: Testing the Comprehensive Model of Information Seeking on University Students of Pakistan

The study revolves around online health related information seeking. Hypothetically, the use of social media and other internet-based platforms is becoming common. This information seeking behavior further leads to self-medication which can be dangerous, so it requires theoretical attention. While many studies have been conducted to cover this behavior, there was a need to explore this area in the context of Pakistan. Internet is the focus of this study which is further sub-categorized into other media forms like Social Media, Google Search, Online Web T.V./Radio and E-Magazines/Papers. Data was gathered using purposive sampling technique from the intended population (N = 300) and to examine the data. Findings of this study indicated that the relationship of information-carrier characteristics and online health information seeking was significantly mediated by utility of information channel. On the other hand, utility was significantly predicted by beliefs, interest, and information-carrier characteristics. Furthermore, direct experience and salience are not significant predictors of utility of online health information seeking. The study also helped elaborating the extensions of comprehensive model of information seeking, which are helpful in applying this model in context of the latest digital media. Copyright © 2021 by Academic Publishing House Researcher s.r.o.

Evolution of Online Health-Related Information Seeking in France From 2010 to 2017: Results From Nationally Representative Surveys.

BackgroundGiven the rapid ongoing progression of the internet and increase in health information available from disparate online sources, it is important to understand how these changes impact online health information-seeking behavior of the population and the way of managing one’s health.ObjectiveThis paper aims at describing the evolution of internet use as a source of health information between 2010 and 2017, as well as the characteristics of online health information seekers, topics of interest, sources of information, and trust in retrieved information and potential impact on behavior.MethodsData from the French nationally representative surveys Health Barometers were used (N=4141 in 2010, 4811 in 2014, and 6255 in 2017). Evolutions over time were assessed using chi-square tests. Associations with sociodemographic characteristics and health status were evaluated using logistic regression models.ResultsThe use of the internet as a source of health information rose between 2010 and 2014 (from 37.3% to 67.9%, P<.001) but decreased significantly in 2017 (60.3%, P<.001). Overall, the profile of health information seekers compared with nonseekers did not change over time. They were more likely to be women, to be younger, to have a higher educational level, to have a higher household income, and to be executives. Between 2014 and 2017, the proportion of those who did not pay attention to the source of information significantly increased to reach 39.7% (P<.001). In 2017 as in 2014, general health-related websites remained the first source of information (38.6%) while institutional websites were the third source (8.1%). Most information seekers trusted the information found online in 2010 (more than 80%), with a slight decrease between 2014 and 2017 (P=.048). Among individual characteristics, trust in the information was the main determinant of the way of managing one’s health (odds ratio 4.06, 95% CI 3.26-5.06).ConclusionsAfter a rapid growth in the internet use for seeking health information in the 2010 to 2014 period, a decrease was recorded in 2017, in parallel with a decrease in trust in the quality and reliability of information found online. These findings underline the need for public health authorities to increase citizens’ eHealth literacy and to provide alternative trustworthy sources combining the popularity and accessibility of general health information websites.

Googling for Neurological Disorders: From Seeking Health-Related Information to Patient Empowerment, Advocacy, and Open, Public Self-Disclosure in the Neurology 2.0 Era.

Since its introduction, the internet has played a major role in reshaping patient-physician communication and interactions, having fostered a shift from a paternalistic to a patient-centered model. Because of its dynamic nature, the internet has been used as a platform to not only disseminate knowledge—favored by improved access to an increasing wealth of available resources—but also to spread advocacy and awareness, contribute to fund-raising, and facilitate open, public self-disclosure of one’s own disease, thus eliminating any taboo and reducing the stigma associated with it. The era of Medicine 2.0 is characterized by openness, collaboration, participation, and social networking. The current situation is completely different from the time when Lorenzo Odone’s parents, after his diagnosis of adrenoleukodystrophy, decided to attend medical school in order to collect information about a devastating, unknown disease and had to contend with medical authorities at that establishment to convince them of the alleged effectiveness and safety of their discovered therapeutics. Orphan and rare neurological diseases have currently received recognition on web-based resources. However, while the intention is not to ridicule Odone’s family legacy and the “complicated lessons” they have reported, some issues should be carefully addressed by health authorities, such as the reputability, reliability, and accuracy of material available on the internet and prevention of the dissemination of material that could instill illusions and unjustified hopes in individuals seeking medical treatment. Neurologists should be aware of such digital resources, participate in web-based activities, and recommend select high-quality websites to their patients.

The interplay between risk and protective factors during the initial height of the COVID-19 crisis in Italy: The role of risk aversion and intolerance of ambiguity on distress.

The present study aimed to test a model of relations to ascertain the determinants of distress caused by lockdown for COVID-19. It was hypothesized that the exposure to the COVID-19 increased distress directly and through the mediation of worry, health-related information seeking, and perception of the utility of the lockdown. It was also expected that higher levels of ambiguity intolerance corresponded to higher distress directly and through the mediation of worry, health information seeking behaviors, and perceived utility of the lockdown. Finally, it was expected that risk aversion positively influenced distress directly and through the increasing of worry, health-related information seeking behavior, and more positive perception of the utility of the lockdown The study was conducted in Italy during the mandatory lockdown for COVID-19 pandemic on 240 individuals (age range 18–76). Data recruitment was conducted via snowball sampling. COVID-19 exposure was positively associated with worry and health-related information seeking. Risk-aversion was positively associated with health-related information seeking and perceived utility of the lockdown to contain the spread of the virus. Worry and health-related information seeking were positively associated with distress, whereas the perceived utility of the lockdown was negatively associated with distress. Intolerance for the ambiguity was directly linked to distress with a positive sign. Findings suggest that risk aversion represents both a risk factor and a protective factor, based on what kind of variable mediates the relationship with distress, and that the intolerance to the ambiguity is a risk factor that busters distress.

Health Informatics: Use of Internet for Health Information Seeking by Pakistani Chronic Patients

The use of the internet and social networking sites has increased all over the world. It serves as a medium for patients to search for health-related information; to interact with the health care professionals; to access health information online, and to participate in online support groups. The number of patients who seek information on the internet and on social media sites related to their health conditions is increasing day by day. The purpose of the current study was to examine the use of the internet and social networking sites for health-related information seeking. Quantitative research design along with the survey method was used, in which the structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. The population consisted of chronic disease patients, that is, patients with hypertension and diabetes from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad. A purposive sampling technique was used for the selection of participants. Data were collected from 200 patients with equal proportionate from hypertension and diabetes patients. The research instrument was developed with the help of the related literature and then validated also. The findings of the study revealed that 45% of the patients indicated that they use the internet daily for health-related information seeking. The results indicate that respondents frequently use internet sources and social networking sites like WhatsApp, YouTube, Facebook, etc. Males and hypertension patients use the internet more significantly as compared to females and diabetic patients. Furthermore, patients often face the challenge of inadequate services (connectivity, network coverage, speed) during internet use. The study is the first of its kind that is reported from Pakistan. The results of the study may help libraries, health professionals, and diabetes-related organizations to design patient-centered policies and information-based services. These institutions may work together to create awareness and to help patients in managing their disease.

EHealth Skills of Female Entrepreneurs in Serbia

This paper's main objective is to assess the current level of eHealth skills of female entrepreneurs in Serbia and their respective associations with selected socio-demographic characteristics. To this end, we use a dataset from the 2018 survey on ICT usage in Serbia. In particular, the analysis covers three eHealth skills: seeking health-related information online, scheduling medical appointments online or via applications, and online purchase of pharmaceutical products. The analysis shows that female entrepreneurs in Serbia, on average utilized eHealth opportunities more frequently than other women or male entrepreneurs. Level of education and average monthly income appears as the socio-demographic characteristics associated with eHealth skills related to familiarity with online services.

Investigation of the Influential Factors in Leading People to Seek Mobile Information for the Promotion of Health-Related Behaviors

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.