초록

Abstract

The present study surveyed 225 undergraduates to examine their social media use behaviors and their perceptions of usefulness, trustworthiness, and privacy of social media for seeking and sharing health information. 151 respondents reported using social media for health information while 74 reported not using it for health matters. Results show that the most popular medium were social Q&As, followed by blogs and social networking sites. Age, gender, school year, and the presence of a health problem were associated with the social media use behaviors. This study suggests the potential of social media as a desired channel for providing health information to undergraduates.

초록

Abstract

This study investigated what web users share on a health website and how the demographic characteristics of users reflect health information sharing behavior. By using a content analysis method, this study analyzed 1,042 randomly chosen messages in the discussion board of a health website. The results revealed that the health website users emotionally supported other users, provided health information, and built relationships between them. Two third of the health website users shared his/her thoughts or feelings about ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) on the health website and one fourth of the health website users connected with others who had ALS. A half of the users actively provided information as a direct response to a question. No significant differences were discerned with regard to total posting frequency by age and gender effect. However, the male users in the 50s answered questions to others more actively and tried to manage their life better than the other age groups.

초록

의료기술과 생활환경의 발달로 인해 급속하게 노령화 사회가 진행되면서 노년의 삶에 대한 관심이 증가하고 있다. 본 연구는 32명의 노령이용자와의 심층면접을 통하여 정보요구와 이용행태를 파악하고 정보 접근 경로 및 온라인 커뮤니케이션 방식에 대하여 알아보고자 하였다. 면담내용 분석 결과 노령이용자들이 주로 정보를 찾고자 하는 주제들은 건강과 뉴스, 여가 및 취미 생활로 조사되었고, 주로 이용하는 매체는 TV, 라디오, 인터넷, 가족 및 친지, 그리고 신문 등이었으며, 온라인 커뮤니티, 블로그, 소셜 네트워크 사이트와 같은 소셜 컴퓨팅 서비스는 현재 노령이용자층의 이용률은 낮지만 가족 및 사회 구성원과의 접촉 및 커뮤니케이션 기회를 확대함으로써 삶에 대한 만족감과 정신적 행복감을 증가시킬 수 있는 효과가 있을 것으로 인지하고 있는 것으로 파악되었다.

Abstract

The population aging occurs rapidly due to the advancement of the medical technology and living conditions and this led increased interests in how the elderly manages their lives. This study attempted to understand the information needs and behavior of the elderly users as well as to find about their information access and online communications. Based on the analysis of the interviews with thirty-two elderly users, they mainly looked for information on the topics such as health, news, leisure, and hobby. In addition, they primarily used television, radio, Internet, family members, relatives, and newspaper to obtain information. Their current use of social computing services including online communities, blogs, social network sites were low. However, the elderly users were aware of the social computing services’ effectiveness in increasing the satisfaction and happiness of their lives by expanding the opportunities for them to communicate with family members and other social members.