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Stages of Change to Health Behavior and Health Information-Seeking Behavior of Health Application Users

YI, YONG JEONG 1

1성균관대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed at investigating health information seeking behaviors of health information consumers who changed their health behaviors by using mobile health applications according to the dynamic stages of change. For this purpose, the study analyzed the changes of perception, health information needs and seeking behaviors of health information consumers in each stage by employing Stages of Change as a theoretical framework. A total of 30 college students participated in this study to change health behaviors such as smoking or alcohol cessation, and regular exercise, while using health applications for 3 months; then written interviews were conducted with these students based on their experiences. Findings indicated that the study participants used diverse information sources, including social media and the Internet, seeking for different types of sources of information according to information needs. Above all, the health information needs and seeking behaviors examined in active utilization of health applications by consumers in the stage of action suggest the implications of health information services, particularly through health applications. In addition, stress management and relapse that consumers experienced while attempting health behavior changes, and the positive and negative effects of behavior changes inform health information providers of insights for supporting consumers’ changes of health behaviors.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.