Use of health information from social media and health self-efficacy: a cross-sectional study

• In Event: Communication, Information Technologies, and Media Sociology Section Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): 12. Health & Covid-19

Abstract

Background: Social media has evolved into a primary channel for health information, yet the relationship between digital information experiences and health self-efficacy remains poorly understood. This study investigates how the evaluation and application of social-media-based health information relate to self-efficacy levels in a misinformation-prone environment.

Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the 2022 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 6), a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults (N = 4,352). Binomial logistic regression was used to estimate the likelihood of being “completely confident” in one’s ability to manage health. Key predictors included: using social media to make health decisions, using such information in clinical discussions, and the perceived difficulty of distinguishing between true and false information. The model controlled for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, daily social media use, and self-rated health.

Results: Approximately 27.1% of respondents reported complete health self-efficacy. Multivariable analysis showed that individuals who strongly disagreed with using social media information for health decisions were significantly more likely to report high self-efficacy (OR = 1.37, p = 0.041). Similarly, those who found it easy to differentiate between true and false health information were 47% more likely to be completely confident (OR = 1.47, p = 0.009). Using social media information in discussions with providers was not significantly associated with health self-efficacy. Notably, women (OR = 1.57) and daily social media users (OR = 1.38) reported higher health self-efficacy, while Asian respondents were significantly less likely to report being completely confident compared to their White counterparts (OR = 0.44, p = 0.004).

Conclusion: Health self-efficacy is reinforced by “informational gatekeeping” and the successful appraisal of digital content. Evaluative success functions as a mastery experience that bolsters personal confidence. These findings suggest that public health interventions should focus on improving digital health literacy and critical appraisal skills to empower patients to navigate complex, algorithmically driven information environments effectively.

Authors

• Xiaoyu Liu, Saint Louis University

• Vijaya Tamla Rai, Montana State University

• Yi Yin, Utah Valley University