Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2017;48(4):264-277.
doi: 10.1080/19325037.2017.1316693. Epub 2017 May 23.

Examining the Relationship between Online Social Capital and eHealth Literacy: Implications for Instagram Use for Chronic Disease Prevention among College Students

Samantha R Paige  1 , Michael Stellefson  1 , Beth H Chaney  2 , J Don Chaney  3 , Julia M Alber  1 , Chelsea Chappell  1 , Adam E Barry  4
Affiliations

Examining the Relationship between Online Social Capital and eHealth Literacy: Implications for Instagram Use for Chronic Disease Prevention among College Students

Samantha R Paige et al. Am J Health Educ. 2017.

Abstract

Background: College students actively seek online health information and use Instagram, an image- and video-based social networking website, to build social networks grounded in trust and behavioral norms (social capital), which have the potential to prevent chronic disease.

Purpose: This study aimed to: (1) examine how intensity of Instagram use moderates the relationship between eHealth Literacy and online social capital in college students, and (2) discuss how Instagram can be used as a social awareness platform for chronic disease prevention among college students.

Methods: Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to analyze web-based survey data from a random sample of college students (N=327).

Results: Online bridging social capital was associated with greater eHealth Literacy (P<.05) and intensity of Instagram use (P<.001), when controlling for socio-demographic variables. The relationship between eHealth Literacy and online bridging social capital was strongest among respondents' with average (P<.01) and high (P<.01) intensity Instagram use, as compared to low Instagram intensity.

Discussion: High intensity of Instagram may strengthen college students' low eHealth Literacy, especially when interacting with heterogeneous connections with weaker ties.

Translation to health education practice: Health education specialists should continue to explore how college students' intensity of Instagram use can be strengthened to build bridging online social capital, and ultimately prevent chronic disease.

Keywords: Chronic Disease; Instagram; Social Capital; eHealth Literacy.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Online bridging social capital frequencies, % (N = 327)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Online bonding social capital frequencies, % (N = 327)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Results of the interaction between eHealth literacy and intensity of Instagram use on online bridging social capital
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. [Accessed January 9, 2017];Chronic disease overview. https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/overview/. Published February 23, 2016.
    1. Eaton DK, Kann L, Kinchen S, et al. Youth risk behavior surveillance - United States, 2009. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2010;59:1–142. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5905a1.htm. - PubMed
    1. American College Health Association. [Accessed January 10, 2017];Student objectives. https://www.acha.org/HealthyCampus/Objectives/Student_Objectives/Healthy.... Published June 1, 2012.
    1. Liu Y, Croft JB, Wheaton AG, et al. Clustering of five health-related behaviors for chronic disease prevention among adults, United States, 2013. Prev Chronic Dis. 2016;13:E70. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd13.160054. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Bauer UE, Briss PA, Goodman RA, Bowman BA. Prevention of chronic disease in the 21st century: elimination of the leading preventable causes of premature death and disability in the USA. Lancet. 2014;384(9937):45–52. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(1460648-6) - DOI - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources