A COGNITIVE MEDIATION PERSPECTIVE IN MHEALTH APPLICATIONS USE

Abstract

With the Cognitive Mediation Model as a theoretical framework, this study empirically tested the influence of motivations (surveillance gratification, guidance, and need for cognition), elaboration, interpersonal discussion and mHealth app usage on the health knowledge, regarding physical activities, and actual level of physical activities of individuals. Using a non-probability sample of Singaporean undergraduates who use mHealth apps, results show that motivations were positively associated with both elaborations and mHealth app use, and both of them positively predicted health knowledge as well. It also shows that motivations have significant indirect effects on health knowledge, mediated by elaborations and mHealth app use. However, health knowledge did not significantly predict physical activities. The findings extended the CMM to the context of physical activities and usage of mHealth apps for information acquisition. Theoretical and practical implications for health communications were also discussed.