Leslie Baxter1, Nichole Egbert, Evelyn Ho. 1. Department of Communication Studies, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. leslie-baxter@uiowa.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The authors examined college students' day-to-day health communication experiences. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 109 midwestern university students participated in the study. METHODS: The participants completed health communication diaries for 2 weeks, generating 2,185 records. Frequent health topics included nutrition and diet, minor health concerns, risky health practices, and body fitness. RESULTS: Approximately 27% of health communication experiences involved the proactive seeking of health-related information or advice. Interpersonal venues (face-to-face, telephone, and e-mail) were evident in about 75% of the records, which were dominated by exchanges with friends and family members. The authors found modest interactions of topic, channel, and purpose. CONCLUSIONS: Congruent with the uses and gratifications theory, the authors found that satisfaction with and perceived impact of health communication experiences varied by topic, channel, relationship, and purpose.
OBJECTIVE: The authors examined college students' day-to-day health communication experiences. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 109 midwestern university students participated in the study. METHODS: The participants completed health communication diaries for 2 weeks, generating 2,185 records. Frequent health topics included nutrition and diet, minor health concerns, risky health practices, and body fitness. RESULTS: Approximately 27% of health communication experiences involved the proactive seeking of health-related information or advice. Interpersonal venues (face-to-face, telephone, and e-mail) were evident in about 75% of the records, which were dominated by exchanges with friends and family members. The authors found modest interactions of topic, channel, and purpose. CONCLUSIONS: Congruent with the uses and gratifications theory, the authors found that satisfaction with and perceived impact of health communication experiences varied by topic, channel, relationship, and purpose.
Authors: Janet Yuen-Ha Wong; Wen Zhang; Yongda Wu; Edmond Pui Hang Choi; Herman Hay Ming Lo; Wendy Wong; Jasmine Hin Man Chio; Hau Lin Cherry Tam; Fei Wan Ngai; Marie Tarrant; Man Ping Wang; Hextan Yuen-Sheung Ngan; Daniel Yee-Tak Fong Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2021-03-12 Impact factor: 5.428