What drives Chinese youth to use fitness-related health information on social media? An analysis of intrinsic needs, social media algorithms, and source credibility.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The role of social media in providing fitness-related health information has been widely discussed; however, there is a notable lack of research on fitness-related health information behaviors among youth within the social media context. This study aims to address this gap by integrating Self-Determination Theory (SDT)-based internal factors and external factors (social media algorithms and source credibility).

Methods

A voluntary sample of 600 participants, aged 15 to 29, was recruited. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine the relationships between variables.

Results

The analysis revealed that all three intrinsic needs-competence, autonomy, and relatedness-along with social media algorithms and

SUBMITTER: Zhang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11655457 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature