Frustration or Relief? The Impact of Feelings about the Search on the Outcomes of Online Health Information Seeking

Author:

• Amy Shirong Lu (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill)

Abstract:

The Internet as a source for health information can reassure and/or frustrate health information seekers, and affect the extent to which the information they find affects subsequent health attitudes and behavior. A survey of a nationally representative sample of American Internet users was analyzed. The survey showed that health information seeking is frequent and users report changes in attitudes and behavior as a result of what they find online. Attitudes and behavior change is more likely if the information seeker does not find the process frustrating. The seekers' frustration is primarily related to their browsing multiple sites for health information. Designers for online health sites should take this into consideration and help health information seekers find what they are looking for as conveniently as possible.