NAVIGATING HEALTH IN THE DIGITAL AGE: AN INTEGRATED THEORETICAL INVESTIGATION OF OLDER ADULTS’ ONLINE HEALTH INFORMATION-SEEKING INTENTIONS

Abstract

As internet access among older adults continues to increase, understanding how they engage with online health information has become increasingly important. This dissertation examines online health information-seeking (OHIS) among older adults who already use the internet, with particular attention to variation in their behaviors and intentions. Rather than focusing on access barriers, this study centers on differences in how older adults seek, evaluate, and use health information in an evolving digital environment.

This research includes three main objectives. First, it examines whether meaningful differences exist in how older adults engage with online health information. Second, it develops and tests an integrated theoretical framework to explain OHIS intentions. Drawing on existing theoretical frameworks, the study synthesizes key constructs and incorporates additional constructs to better capture the influences on OHIS intentions. Third, it provides contextual insight into the digital environments in which OHIS occurs, including patterns of platform use and the types of health information sought.This dissertation employs a two-study design. A preliminary analysis using data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 7) identifies patterns of OHIS behaviors among older adults with internet access. Building on these findings, a survey-based study tests the proposed model and examines relationships among key determinants of OHIS intentions.

Key findings indicate that OHIS among older adults is influenced less by sociodemographic characteristics and more by digital capabilities and evaluative perceptions. Digital skills emerge as a key driver of OHIS behavior, while perceived usefulness and positive evaluations are the strongest predictors of OHIS intention. The results of both studies indicate a two-step process: among older adults, digital skills are necessary for participation OHIS, while perceived usefulness, positive evaluation, and trust-related perceptions ultimately determine their intention to seek health information online.

By integrating multiple theoretical perspectives, this research advances understanding of OHIS among digitally connected older adults and provides practical implications for improving the accessibility and credibility of online health information.