Ethnicity, digital divides and uses of the Internet for health information. (October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lin, Carolyn A.; Atkin, David J.; Cappotto, Celeste; Davis, Carrie; Dean, Julie; Eisenbaum, Jennifer; House, Kenyetta; Lange, Robert; Merceron, Alexandra; Metzger, Jacqueline; Mitchum, Ariane; Nicholls, Heidi; Vidican, Simona
• Is Part Of: Computers in human behavior. Volume 51:Part A(2015)
• Page Start: 216
• Page End: 223
• Publication Date: 2015-10
• Subjects: Digital divide -- Internet-use efficacy -- Search outcome expectancies and motivations -- Online health information; Interactive computer systems -- Periodicals; Man-machine systems -- Periodicals; 004.019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2015.04.054
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0747-5632

Abstract

Highlights: We explore racial and cognitive influences on online health information searches. We model social locators, self efficacy and motivations on health search behaviors. The predictive influence of self-efficacy and online use motivations is supported. Ethnicity is not a significant determinant of online health information searches. Social locators are less telling than cognitive factors in explaining search behavior. Abstract: The present study investigates the influence of racial/ethnic and cognitive factors on use of the Internet as a channel for public health information. A random sample of 310 residents age 18 years or older provided valid survey responses. Multivariate analyses establish the importance of self efficacy in determining online search motivations, outcome expectancies and behaviors, although we fail to confirm the existence of any kind of "racial divide" in Internet use. The relatively modest role played by ethnicity—in determining online uses and self efficacy – underscores the significance of using attitudinal variables alongside traditional demographic and media use measures of communication technology use.