Date of Conferral

6-18-2024

Date of Award

June 2024

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Stephen Rice

Abstract

As technology continues to advance, more people are using the internet to search for health information. This jump in online health information seeking has prompted researchers to examine different aspects of health information-seeking behavior because of the impact that online health information has on the patient and their overall health. There are very little data pertaining to specific factors that can predict online health-seeking behavior. This document examines predictive factors of online health-seeking behaviors, which are age, gender, education, income, overall health, and ethnicity, using a quantitative approach with a correlational design grounded in the theory of planned behavior. Data were retrieved using web-based surveys. The data obtained from this study may help medical professionals to understand what factors predict online health-seeking behaviors in an attempt to modify, develop, and implement methods that can promote positive online health seeking, ultimately resulting in overall better health outcomes, bringing about positive social change specifically for those individuals identified with the largest challenge in accessing healthcare and who are inclined to search for health information online. Survey data were collected for approximately 171 participants, and a binomial logistic regression was used to examine whether the independent variables were predictive factors for online health-seeking behaviors. The data determined that none of the independent variables were statistically significant; however, findings highlighted the need for further research on the demographics that participate in such studies as well as various limitations that can be addressed in future studies.

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