Prediction of health behaviours of users of online weight control communities: The effects of social support, and social connectedness

被引：0

作者：

Ling, Chen ^{[1
]}

Branscum, Paul ^{[2
]}

Wang, Xiaoqian ^{[3
]}

机构：

[1] Department of Mechanical Engineering, Auburn Science and Engineering Center Room 107B, University of Akron, Akron, 44325, OH

[2] Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, 1401 Asp Avenue, Norman, 73019, OK

[3] School of Industrial Engineering, University of Oklahoma

来源：

International Journal of Web Based Communities | 2015年 / 11卷 / 3-4期

关键词：

Online weight control communities; Social connectedness; Social support; Weight management;

D O I：

10.1504/IJWBC.2015.072136

中图分类号：

学科分类号：

摘要：

Among noted technological advancements in past decades, social networks, defined as an environment and means of socialising, have expanded from the physical world to a virtual one on the internet. Online social networks can be utilised for virtually any purpose, however one common use has been for health promotion. The objective of this study was to understand how social support and social connectedness offered by online social networks influence its members' behaviours related towards weight maintenance. Overall, 216 users of online weight control social networks completed a valid and reliable survey evaluating perceived social support (emotional support, appraisal support, information support, instrumental support) and social connectedness (duration of use, frequency of use, and homogeneity) towards the online community. Using multiple regression models, constructs were then regressed on five weight-control behaviours (i.e., fruit and vegetable consumption, and physical activity). Result showed that all factors, except appraisal and instrumental support, significantly influenced one or more of the weight-control behaviours. In particular, behaviours were positively related to the length of time an individual accessed the community and the amount of interactions they had with community members. Additionally, emotional and information support positively affected an individuals weight management behaviours. Implications for future research and practice are presented. Copyright © 2015 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

引用

页码：340 / 356

页数：16

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