Use of Instagram as a Resource for the Adoption of Behaviors Related to Health and Well-Being of Young College Students: Associations between Use Profile and Sociodemographic Variables—A Cross-Sectional Study

Kaline Pessoa (), Cícero Luciano Alves Costa, Ana Cláudia Coelho, Ana Bastos and Isilda Rodrigues
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Kaline Pessoa: School of Human and Social Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Cícero Luciano Alves Costa: Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Ceará, Limoeiro do Norte 62930-000, CE, Brazil
Ana Cláudia Coelho: Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Animal and Veterinary Research Center (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Ana Bastos: School of Human and Social Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Isilda Rodrigues: School of Human and Social Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal

Societies, 2023, vol. 13, issue 2, 1-18

Abstract: The use of Instagram and content from digital influencers to gain information and adopt behaviors related to health and well-being may be associated with sociodemographic variables. Few studies have been conducted in different contexts regarding the use of Instagram to obtain information about health and well-being and its relationship with sociodemographic variables. A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed with a convenience sample of the population of students attending a degree course in physical education, in the northeast region of Brazil, to assess the prevalence of Instagram use as a resource for the adoption of behaviors related to health and well-being, as well as to understand the associations between use profiles and sociodemographic variables. An online validated questionnaire was completed by 162 students from March to June 2021. Descriptive statistics and analysis of artificial networks were used. Results indicate the profile of using Instagram to obtain information about health and well-being is impacted by sociodemographic variables such as gender, age, monthly income, and the semester the student is attending. Specifically, although men adopt health and well-being behaviors more frequently, the relationship between variables such as age and monthly income and the variables of the Instagram use profile is stronger among women. However, the adoption of behaviors and the belief in their contribution to self-care establish a strong relationship among both genders. It is concluded that sociodemographic variables can contribute to a better understanding of the use of Instagram to adopt behaviors related to health and well-being.

Keywords: health; well-being; digital influencer; Instagram; college students (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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