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Mindfulness Intervention for Health Information Avoidance in Older Adults: Mixed Methods Study.

JMIR public health and surveillance
January 1, 1970
Chenyu Gu et al. (3 authors)
Journal ArticleHuman Study
Extracted Claims (10)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
-
increase
health information avoidance
older adults
β=.26, P=.002
significantly predicted
#1
-
increase
health information avoidance
older adults
β=.25, P<.001
significantly predicted
#2
-
increase
health information avoidance
older adults
β=.29, P<.001
significantly predicted
#3
-
no change
health information avoidance
older adults
β=‒.11, P=.13
did not significantly predict
#4
-
neutral
health information avoidance
older adults
effect=0.106, 95% CI 0.035-0.189
mediated
#5
-
neutral
health information avoidance
older adults
effect=0.103, 95% CI 0.043-0.185
mediated
#6
-
neutral
health information avoidance
older adults
effect=0.120, 95% CI 0.063-0.191
mediated
#7
-
no change
health information avoidance
older adults
effect=‒0.045, 95% CI ‒0.102 to 0.016
did not mediate
#8
mindfulness meditation
increase
mindfulness levels
intervention group (group 1: n=46)
-
exhibited significantly higher
#9
mindfulness meditation
decrease
health information avoidance behaviors
older adults
-
effective intervention for mitigating
#10
Abstract

BACKGROUND: The global aging population and rapid development of digital technology have made health management among older adults an urgent public health issue. The complexity of online health information often leads to psychological challenges, such as cyberchondria, exacerbating health information avoidance behaviors. These behaviors hinder effective health management; yet, little research examines their mechanisms or intervention strategies. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the mechanisms influencing health information avoidance among older adults, emphasizing the mediating role of cyberchondria. In addition, it evaluates the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation as an intervention strategy to mitigate these behaviors. METHODS: A mixed methods approach was used, combining quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Substudy 1 developed a theoretical model based on self-determination theory to explore internal (positive metacognition and health self-efficacy) and external (subjective norms and health information similarity) factors influencing health information avoidance, with cyberchondria as a mediator. A cross-sectional survey (N=236) was conducted to test the proposed model. Substudy 2 involved a 4-week mindfulness meditation intervention (N=94) to assess its impact on reducing health information avoidance behaviors. RESULTS: Study 1 showed that positive metacognition (β=.26, P=.002), health self-efficacy (β=.25, P<.001), and health information similarity (β=.29, P<.001) significantly predicted health information avoidance among older adults. Cyberchondria mediated these effects: positive metacognition (effect=0.106, 95% CI 0.035-0.189), health self-efficacy (effect=0.103, 95% CI 0.043-0.185), and health information similarity (effect=0.120, 95% CI 0.063-0.191). Subjective norms did not significantly predict health information avoidance (β=‒.11, P=.13), and cyberchondria did not mediate this relationship (effect=‒0.045, 95% CI ‒0.102 to 0.016). Study 2 found that after the 4-week mindfulness intervention, the intervention group (group 1: n=46) exhibited significantly higher mindfulness levels than the control group (group 2: n=48; M CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals the role of cyberchondria in health information avoidance and validates mindfulness meditation as an effective intervention for mitigating such behaviors. Findings offer practical recommendations for improving digital health information delivery and health management strategies for older adults.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansMindfulnessAgedFemaleMaleCross-Sectional StudiesMiddle AgedAged, 80 and overSurveys and QuestionnairesSelf EfficacyAvoidance LearningConsumer Health Information
Study Links
PubMed ID39874579
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