Abstract

Online Health Communities (OHCs) are a popular type of social networking site. Key to their success is that users of these communities contribute knowledge about their personal health conditions including experiences and advice for others. Given the sensitive nature of personal health information, it is of primary importance to understand the mechanisms that can maximize trust and self-disclosure while minimizing privacy concerns. Based on the Agentic Perspective to Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura, 2008), this paper proposes a model for the use of different levels of control to maximize self disclosure in OHCs. A 2x2x2 experimental design is detailed with pilot-level data and suggestions for future research.

Share

COinS
 

Spurring Participation: The Effect of Privacy Control Mechanisms on Trust and Self-Disclosure in Online Health Communities

Online Health Communities (OHCs) are a popular type of social networking site. Key to their success is that users of these communities contribute knowledge about their personal health conditions including experiences and advice for others. Given the sensitive nature of personal health information, it is of primary importance to understand the mechanisms that can maximize trust and self-disclosure while minimizing privacy concerns. Based on the Agentic Perspective to Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura, 2008), this paper proposes a model for the use of different levels of control to maximize self disclosure in OHCs. A 2x2x2 experimental design is detailed with pilot-level data and suggestions for future research.