Open AccessFinnish adolescents’ selection and assessment of health information sources
Author(s) -
Helena Känsäkoski,
Noora Hirvonenis,
Laura Palmgren-Neuvonen,
Tuula Nygård,
MaijaLeena Huotari
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
information research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.397
H-Index - 49
ISSN - 1368-1613
DOI - 10.47989/irpaper893
Subject(s) - credibility , health information , psychology , health education , cognition , mental health , source credibility , coding (social sciences) , information needs , public relations , applied psychology , medicine , public health , health care , sociology , nursing , political science , psychiatry , computer science , social science , world wide web , law
. It is challenging for young people to determine who or what information sources they can trust in health issues. This study examines adolescents’ understanding of health, health information needs and credible health information sources and discusses the ways some information sources can be regarded as adolescents’ cognitive authorities in health matters. Methods. Thirty-seven Finnish secondary school students from fourteen to sixteen years were interviewed during a school health education project. Analysis. The data were transcribed verbatim and analysed qualitatively through open, axial and selective coding. Findings. Two broad categories of young people’s understanding of health and well-being were identified: a narrow disease-oriented view and a wider view including aspects of mental and social well-being. These views were connected with recognised health information needs, preferred health information sources and credibility evaluation. Conclusions. The interviewed young people found family members and health professionals to be the most credible information sources in health problems. Thus, they can be regarded as adolescents’ cognitive authorities who are likely to influence their opinions. In more general health information needs and in lifestyle issues, the range of the information sources was wider and credibility assessments were dependent on the subject.