How Do People Process Health Information? Applications in an Age of Individualized Communication

2001 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 206-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew W. Kreuter ◽  
Cheryl L. Holt
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Computer Technology ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health Related Behaviors ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Health Education Materials

Advances in computer technology have made it possible to customize communication, including health-education materials, to the specific needs and interests of any individual. Studies show that individually tailored health-education materials are more effective than generic materials in promoting changes in a variety of health-related behaviors. Theory and research in information processing provide an explanation for why such materials are effective. This article discusses current research on how individuals process tailored health information, and discusses directions for future research in this area.

scholarly journals The usefulness of health education materials in GP waiting rooms: a cross-sectional study

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp18X696845 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Maskell ◽  
Paula McDonald ◽  
Priyamvada Paudyal
Keyword(s):  
Health Education ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Waiting Room ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Education Materials ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Changing Knowledge ◽  
University Degree

BackgroundMore than half of patients in the UK wait between 5 and 15 minutes before seeing the GP, and this time in the waiting room (WR) provides an ideal opportunity for patient education.AimTo assess patients’ perceptions of the usefulness, noticeability and attractiveness of health education materials (HEMs); and the variety, number, topics, design and accessibility of these HEMs.MethodAn anonymous questionnaire was distributed to patients in the WR to assess their use of health information and perceptions of HEMs. A survey measured the availability of HEMs in the WR and evaluated their quality against 16 accessibility and design criteria.ResultsA total of 556 questionnaires were completed (response rate 97.9%). On average, WRs contained 72 posters covering 23 topics, and 53 leaflets covering 24 topics. Multivariate analysis showed that patients’ perception of usefulness was significantly associated with reading in the WR, using written HEMs, and not having a university degree; whilst noticeability was associated with reading in the WR, and being female. Attractiveness was associated with not having a university degree and shorter waiting time.ConclusionThis study suggests that a wide variety of HEMs are available, and that many patients find them useful and noticeable, however, fewer find them well-designed and attractive. Future research should focus on the effectiveness of generally available HEMs at changing knowledge, attitudes, intentions, and behaviours; and utilising technology to deliver innovative means of providing patient health information.

scholarly journals Factors Associated with Self-Perceived Diet Quality Among Puerto Rican Adults (P04-092-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiara Amaro-Rivera ◽  
Elena Carbone
Keyword(s):  
Diet Quality ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Psychosocial Factor ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Self Perception ◽  
Poverty Level ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Health Related Behaviors ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Fair Poor

Abstract Objectives Self-perceived diet quality is an important psychosocial factor that can influence dietary patterns. Several studies have found an association between this variable and health-related behaviors, such as eating fruits and vegetables and exercising regularly. However, this relationship has not been well studied among minority groups. The aim of this research was to examine the associations between sociodemographic and health-related variables and self-perception of diet quality among adults living in Puerto Rico. Methods This was a cross-sectional study. A researcher-designed questionnaire was distributed within a particular community. One questionnaire was given per household to be answered by everyone living in the house. A multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between the dependent variable, self-perceived diet quality (specified as excellent/very good/good or fair/poor), and the following independent variables: age groups, sex, education, poverty level estimate, self-rated health, intake of fruits or vegetables, sugar-sweetened beverages and fast-food, physical activity, recreational screen time (as a proxy for sedentary time), and BMI categories. Results A total of 106 questionnaires were distributed and 93 were returned, with data collected for 254 individuals. Children (n = 57) and adults with missing data (n = 5) were excluded from the analysis. The final sample consisted of 192 adults aged ≥18 years. Among these, 53.1% were females, 52.0% completed more than high school, 41.7% were below the poverty level estimate, and 61.5% were either overweight or obese. A total of 26.6% of the participants described their diet as fair/poor. Fair/poor self-perceived diet quality was associated with higher odds of reporting fair/poor self-rated health, consuming less than one cup of fruits or vegetables per day, eating at fast-food one or more times per week, and spending three hours or more per day using a screen for recreational purposes. Conclusions Self-perception of diet quality was associated with certain health-related behaviors in our sample. Future research should examine the association between self-perceived and objective diet quality, as previous research has shown that Puerto Ricans have poor knowledge of dietary recommendation. Funding Sources N/A. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs

scholarly journals Investigation of the Influential Factors in Leading People to Seek Mobile Information for the Promotion of Health-Related Behaviors

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 10512
Author(s):  
Kyung Han You (Ryu) ◽  
Jaehee Cho
Keyword(s):  
Social Cognition ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Health Promoting Behaviors ◽  
Mobile Information ◽  
Health Related Behaviors ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Health Promoting

This study explored the cognitive structures that influence mobile information seekers’ intentions of promoting health behaviors. Using a nationwide self-reported survey (n = 1010) conducted by a national research institute in Korea, the present study conducted multiple regression analyses and moderated mediation tests for its analysis. The results showed that two of the three social cognitive components—i.e., health information orientation (HIO) and e-health literacy (EHL)—had a positive effect on users’ mobile health information seeking behaviors (MHIS), whereas informational social support (ISS) did not. Furthermore, the effects of the social cognition factors varied based on the type of health-promoting behaviors, and the types of health-related behavior predicted by the three factors also differed. Moreover, HIO was a factor that affected only nutritional intake among all of the health promotion behaviors, while ISS was a critical factor that predicted most health-related behaviors, except for the participants’ regular exercise (REX). The findings also indicated that the respondents’ levels of health efficacy and the extent of their health-related information seeking on mobile devices partially mediated the associations between the independent variables and their health-related behavioral outcomes. Among the mediated moderation effects of the three factors in social cognition theory (SCT), only the mediated effects of EHL were found to be significant. Based on these findings, the present study highlighted that the predictors of health-promoting behaviors may vary according to the features of the information seekers. The further implications of the study are also discussed.

scholarly journals Integration of academic and health education for the prevention of physical aggression and violence in young people: systematic review, narrative synthesis and intervention components analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. e020793 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.J. Melendez-Torres ◽  
Tara Tancred ◽  
Adam Fletcher ◽  
Rona Campbell ◽  
James Thomas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Education ◽  
Physical Aggression ◽  
Interpersonal Violence ◽  
Study Skills ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Health Promoting

ObjectivesTo systematically review evidence on the effectiveness of interventions including integration of academic and health education for reducing physical aggression and violence, and describe the content of these interventions.Data sourcesBetween November and December 2015, we searched 19 databases and 32 websites and consulted key experts in the field. We updated our search in February 2018.Eligibility criteriaWe included randomised trials of school-based interventions integrating academic and health education in students aged 4–18 and not targeted at health-related subpopulations (eg, learning or developmental difficulties). We included evaluations reporting a measure of interpersonal violence or aggression.Data extraction and analysisData were extracted independently in duplicate, interventions were analysed to understand similarities and differences and outcomes were narratively synthesised by key stage (KS).ResultsWe included 13 evaluations of 10 interventions reported in 20 papers. Interventions included either full or partial integration, incorporated a variety of domains beyond the classroom, and used literature, local development or linking of study skills and health promoting skills. Evidence was concentrated in KS2, with few evaluations in KS3 or KS4, and evaluations had few consistent effects; evaluations in KS3 and KS4 did not suggest effectiveness.DiscussionIntegration of academic and health education may be a promising approach, but more evidence is needed. Future research should consider the ‘lifecourse’ aspects of these interventions; that is, do they have a longitudinal effect? Evaluations did not shed light on the value of different approaches to integration.

scholarly journals Adolescent Biological Maturity and Physical Activity: Biology Meets Behavior

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 332-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren B. Sherar ◽  
Sean P. Cumming ◽  
Joey C. Eisenmann ◽  
Adam D.G. Baxter-Jones ◽  
Robert M. Malina
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Biological Maturation ◽  
Health Related Behaviors ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Biological Maturity ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Relationship

The decline in physical activity (PA) across adolescence is well established but influence of biological maturity on the process has been largely overlooked. This paper reviews the limited number of studies which examine the relationship between timing of biological maturity and PA. Results are generally inconsistent among studies. Other health-related behaviors are also considered in an effort to highlight the complexity of relationships between biological maturation and behavior and to provide future research directions.

The Influence of Parental Religiosity on the Health of Children during Late Adolescence/Early Adulthood: A Test of Mediation

2021 ◽  
pp. 073112142199006
Author(s):  
Jason Alan Freeman
Keyword(s):  
Religious Affiliation ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Late Adolescence ◽  
Model Potential ◽  
Marital Stability ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Adolescent Religiosity ◽  
Health Related Behaviors ◽  
Health Related

The present study explores whether adolescent religiosity, health-related behaviors, and marital stability mediate the association between parental religiosity and health. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult (Add) Health, I model potential direct and indirect effects between three measures of parental religiosity (i.e., parental institutional religiosity, parental personal religiosity, and parental religious affiliation); three sets of mediators indicating adolescent religiosity, health-related behaviors, and marital stability; and self-rated health during late adolescence/early adulthood. Overall, I found that parental institutional religiosity has a direct effect on the self-rated health of children during late adolescence/early adulthood, and that it influences self-rated health by reducing adolescent and parental smoking. I also found evidence for deleterious effects of parental institutional religiosity on health as well. Future research should explore variation in the influence of parental religiosity on self-rated health between various sociodemographic groups and between different stages of the life course.

scholarly journals Personality Traits, Coping, Health-related Behaviors, and Cumulative Physiological Health in a National Sample: 10 Year Prospective Effects of Conscientiousness via Perceptions of Activity on Allostatic Load

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (11) ◽  
pp. 880-892
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Milad ◽  
Tim Bogg
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Allostatic Load ◽  
Coping Styles ◽  
The United States ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health Related Behaviors ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Background Personality traits, coping styles, and health-related behaviors show associations with various aspects of health. However, integrative life-course investigations of pathways by which these factors might affect later cumulative physiological health risk remain sparse. Purpose To investigate prospective associations of personality traits via coping styles and health-related behaviors on allostatic load in a national sample. Methods Using data from the Midlife in the United States study (MIDUS; N = 1,054), path analyses were used to test direct and indirect associations (via coping styles, smoking, frequency of alcohol consumption, leisure-time physical activity, and perceptions of activity) of personality traits on a latent measurement model of allostatic load informed by 10 biomarkers associated with cardiovascular, inflammation, glucose, and lipid subsystems. Results Direct 10 year associations of greater conscientiousness on healthier allostatic load and greater extraversion on less healthy allostatic load were observed. Consistent with hypothesized behavioral pathways, relationships between conscientiousness and extraversion on allostatic load were prospectively mediated by greater perceptions of activity. Physical activity and more frequent alcohol use were associated with healthier allostatic load but did not act as prospective mediators. Conclusions The results provide further evidence of conscientiousness’ standing as a marker of health via cumulative physiological health. Moreover, a greater perception of activity was identified as a pathway through which conscientious individuals experienced healthier physiological profiles over time. Examining a more detailed picture of the psychosocial mechanisms leading to development of health risk, as was found with perceptions of activity, remains an important area for future research.

scholarly journals The impact of health education videos on general public’s mental health and behavior during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Yang ◽  
Zhihua Wu ◽  
Ying Xie ◽  
Xiaohua Xiao ◽  
Jinnan Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Health Related Behaviors ◽  
Health Related ◽  
And Behavior

Abstract Background COVID-19 has seriously affected people's mental health and changed their behaviors. Previous studies for mental state and behavior promotion only targeted limited people or were not suitable for daily activity restrictions. Therefore, we decided to explore the effect of health education videos on people’s mental state and health-related behaviors. Methods Based on WeChat, QQ, and other social media, we conducted an online survey by snowball sampling. Spearman’s non-parametric method was used to analyze the correlation related to mental health problems and health-related behaviors. Besides, we used binary logistic regression analyses to examine mental health problems and health-related behaviors' predictors. We performed SPSS macro PROCESS (model 4 and model 6) to analyze mediation relationships between exposure to health education videos and depression/anxiety/health-related behaviors. These models were regarded as exploratory. Results Binary logistic regression analyses indicated that people who watched the health education videos were more likely to wear masks (OR 1.15, p < 0.001), disinfect (OR 1.26, p < 0.001), and take temperature (OR 1.37, p < 0.001). With higher level of posttraumatic growth (PTG) or perceived social support (PSS), people had lower percentage of depression (For PSS, OR 0.98, p < 0.001; For PTG, OR 0.98, p < 0.01) and anxiety (For PSS, OR 0.98, p < 0.001; For PTG, OR 0.98, p = 0.01) and better health behaviors. The serial multiple-mediation model supported the positive indirect effects of exposure to health education videos on the depression and three health-related behaviors through PSS and PTG (Depression: B[SE] =  − 0.0046 [0.0021], 95% CI − 0.0098, − 0.0012; Mask-wearing: B[SE] = 0.0051 [0.0023], 95% CI 0.0015, 0.0010; Disinfection: B[SE] = 0.0059 [0.0024], 95% CI 0.0024, 0.0012; Temperature-taking: B[SE] = 0.0067 [0.0026], 95% CI 0.0023, 0.0013). Conclusion Exposure to health education videos can improve people's self-perceived social support and inner growth and help them cope with the adverse impact of public health emergencies with better mental health and health-related behaviors.

Mood’s Role in Selective Exposure to Health and Risk Information

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa J. Robinson ◽  
Silvia Knobloch-Westerwick
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Selective Exposure ◽  
Health Messages ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Media Content ◽  
Message Processing ◽  
Health Campaigns ◽  
Health Message ◽  
Media Message

In today’s media-saturated environment, individuals may be exposed to hundreds of media messages on a wide variety of topics each day. It is impossible for individuals to attend to every media message, and instead, they engage in the phenomenon of selective exposure, where certain messages are chosen and attended to more often than others. Health communication professionals face challenges in creating messages that can attract the attention of targeted audiences when health messages compete with more entertaining programming. In fact, one of the greatest obstacles for health campaigns is a lack of adequate exposure among targeted recipients. Individuals may avoid health messages completely or counterargue against persuasive attempts to change their health-related attitudes and behaviors. Once individuals have been exposed to a health message, their current mood plays an important role in the processing of health information and decision making. Early research indicated that a positive mood might actually be detrimental to information processing because individuals are more likely to process the information heuristically. However, recent studies countered these results and suggested that individuals in positive moods are more likely to attend to self-relevant health information, with increased recall and greater intent to change their behaviors. Since mood has the ability to influence exposure to health messages and subsequent message processing, it is important for individuals to be able to manage their mood prior to health information exposure and possibly even during exposure. One way individuals can influence their moods is through media use including TV shows, movies, and music. Mood management theory predicts that individuals choose media content to improve and maintain positive moods and examines the mood-impacting characteristics of stimuli that influence individuals’ media selections. Therefore, an individual’s mood plays an important role in selection of any type of communication (e.g., news, documentaries, comedies, video games, or sports). How can health message designers influence individuals’ selection and attention to health messages when negative moods may be blocking overtly persuasive attempts to change behaviors and a preference for entertaining media content? The narrative persuasion research paradigm suggests that embedding health information into entertainment messages may be a more effective method to overcome resistance or counterarguing than traditional forms of health messages (e.g., advertisements or articles). It is evident that mood plays a complex role in message selection and subsequent processing. Future research is necessary to examine the nuances between mood and health information processing including how narratives may maintain positive moods through narrative selection, processing, and subsequent attitude and/or behavior change.

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