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Factors Influencing College Students' Online Health Information-Seeking Behavior and Their Interactive Relationships: A Study Based on Information Ecology Theory

Author(s)

Shiqi Li

Affiliation(s)

Department of Sociology, College of Humanities, Jinan University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China

Abstract

With the deep integration of the Internet and health information, online health information retrieval is becoming increasingly popular. Therefore, it is necessary to systematically study the underlying mechanisms behind this phenomenon. This study is based on the information ecosystem theory and collected data from 15 college students through semi-structured interviews. Through a systematic analysis of four dimensions (online health information-related factors, information subject-related factors, other group-related factors, and social environment-related factors), the study revealed the main influencing factors and their interaction mechanisms. The results show that 11 themes, including content characteristics, personal traits, social communication, and technical environment, have a significant impact on health information retrieval behavior. Moreover, these four dimensions exhibit a two-stage dynamic relationship. This study applies the information ecosystem theory to the micro-level of information retrieval behavior, providing a solid theoretical foundation for understanding the influencing mechanisms of online health information retrieval, and at the same time, proposes specific suggestions for college students' information acquisition strategies.

Keywords

Information Ecology Theory; Health Information Seeking; College Students

References

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