A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Online health information-seeking behaviour and mental well-being among Finnish higher education students during COVID-19
Authors: Rouvinen Hanna, Turunen Hannele, Lindfors Pirjo, Kinnunen Jaana M., Rimpelä Arja, Koivusilta Leena, Kulmala Markus, Dadaczynski Kevin, Okan Orkan, Sormunen Marjorita
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publishing place: Oxford
Publication year: 2023
Journal: Health Promotion International
Article number: daad143
Volume: 38
Issue: 6
eISSN: 1460-2245
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daad143
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daad143
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/181593218
Online health information-seeking behaviour has increased since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic in March 2020. This study examined whether health-related information on COVID-19 searched on the internet was associated with mental well-being among higher education students. A cross-sectional internet survey was conducted among 18- to 34-year-old students in Finland (N = 2976; mean age 24.61 years and median 24) in the spring of 2020. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s chi-square tests, Kruskal–Wallis nonparametric H tests, and a two-way ANOVA. The results indicated that most students (86% of females, 82% of males) used the internet to search for information on COVID-19. Students’ self-perceived abilities to determine the relevance of online information on COVID-19 were associated with mental well-being.
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