Interpersonal influences on self-management in the eHealth era : Predicting the uses of eHealth tools for self-care in America

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

11 Scopus Citations
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Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)464-475
Journal / PublicationHealth and Social Care in the Community
Volume29
Issue number2
Online published27 Jul 2020
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2021

Abstract

Drawing on the social cognitive theory and the comprehensive model of information seeking, this study proposes a theoretical framework that systematically examines the role of interpersonal factors in individuals' self-management in the eHealth context. The framework was tested with a sample of 965 eHealth users drawn from the National Cancer Institute's 2018 Health Information National Trends Survey. Structural equation modelling was performed to model the relationships among patient-centred communication, social support, self-efficacy, perceptions of eHealth tools and eHealth behaviours. The results established social support and patient-centred communication as two important sources of self-efficacy. Self-efficacy together with characteristics of eHealth tools were associated with higher utility of eHealth tools, which further predicted higher levels of eHealth behaviours. The results show that incorporating interpersonal factors in health interventions may enhance the targets' self-efficacy in self-management and indirectly motivates eHealth behaviours.

Research Area(s)

  • eHealth behaviours, healthcare, interpersonal influence, self-efficacy, self-management