Resource type
Date created
2013
Authors/Contributors
Author (aut): Crutzen, Rik
Author (aut): Cyr, Dianne
Author (aut): Larios, Hector
Author (aut): Ruiter, Robert A. C.
Author (aut): De Vries, Nanne K.
Abstract
ObjectiveInternet-delivered interventions can effectively change health risk behaviors and their determinants, but adherence to intervention websites once they are accessed is very low. This study tests whether and how social presence elements can increase website use.MethodsA website about Hepatitis A, B, and C virus infections was used in a preparatory lab-based eye-tracking study assessing whether social presence elements attract participants' attention, because this is a prerequisite for affecting website use. In the following field study, 482 participants representative of the Dutch population were randomized to either a website with or a website without social presence elements. Participants completed a questionnaire of validated measures regarding user perceptions immediately after exposure to the website. Server registrations were used to assess website use.ResultsParticipants in the experimental condition focused on the social presence elements, both in terms of frequency (F(1, 98) = 40.34, p<.001) and duration (F(1, 88) = 39.99, p<.001), but did not differ in website use in comparison with the control condition; neither in terms of the number of pages visited (t(456) = 1.44, p = .15), nor in terms of time on the website (t(456) = 0.01, p = .99).ConclusionsAdding social presence elements did not affect actual use of an intervention website within a public health context. Possible reasons are limited attention for these elements in comparison with the main text and the utilitarian value of intervention websites.
Document
Published as
Crutzen R, Cyr D, Larios H, Ruiter RAC, de Vries NK (2013) Social Presence and Use of Internet-Delivered Interventions: A Multi-Method Approach. PLoS ONE 8(2): e57067. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0057067
Publication details
Publication title
PLoS ONE
Document title
Social Presence and Use of Internet-Delivered Interventions: A Multi-Method Approach
Date
2013
Volume
8
Issue
2
Publisher DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0057067
Rights (standard)
Copyright statement
Copyright is held by the author(s).
Scholarly level
Peer reviewed?
Yes
Funder
Language
English
Member of collection
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