Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting
Date Submitted: Aug 26, 2022
Date Accepted: Mar 7, 2023
How Do People Use Online Parenting Information to Support Others in their Social Circle: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Almost two thirds of the North American population have searched for health information online, and the majority report searching on behalf of someone else in their social circle, a phenomenon referred to as proxy seeking. Little is known on how proxy seekers use online health information and what outcomes they experience.
Objective:
The main aim of this study was to explore why proxy seekers used a parenting website on behalf of parents in their social circle, and what outcomes they reported.
Methods:
A qualitative descriptive study was conducted in the context of a partnership with an online parenting resource to explore the context and motivations for proxy online health information seeking, use of information and subsequent outcomes. Fourteen participants who self-identified as family members and friends of parents of young children, or professionals who work with young children were interviewed and thematic analysis was conducted.
Results:
Four reasons for proxy seeking were uncovered: reassurance, out of personal curiosity, as part of a professional role, or following an explicit request from the parents. Information was used to provide informational support for parents, or to provide material support for a child. Positive outcomes of using the information were described, as were some of the resulting interpersonal tensions.
Conclusions:
This study provides an in-depth look at proxy seeking behavior and outcomes among users of an online parenting resource.
Citation
Per the author's request the PDF is not available.
Copyright
© The authors. All rights reserved. This is a privileged document currently under peer-review/community review (or an accepted/rejected manuscript). Authors have provided JMIR Publications with an exclusive license to publish this preprint on it's website for review and ahead-of-print citation purposes only. While the final peer-reviewed paper may be licensed under a cc-by license on publication, at this stage authors and publisher expressively prohibit redistribution of this draft paper other than for review purposes.