File(s) under permanent embargo
Understanding Australian adolescent girls' use of digital technologies for healthy lifestyle purposes: a mixed-methods study
journal contribution
posted on 2022-09-29, 23:57 authored by K Parker, L Gould, M Nand, J C Rawstorn, A M Contardo Ayala, R Maddison, Kim ToffolettiKim ToffolettiBACKGROUND: Little is known about girls' use of a broad range of digital technologies to support a healthy lifestyle, particularly during the later adolescent years when they are expected to take greater responsibility for individually managing their health and wellbeing. The present study was designed to gain an in-depth understanding of adolescent girls', 15 to 17 years of age, use of a broad range of digital technologies to support multiple healthy lifestyle purposes. METHODS: This study used a mixed-methods sequential research design (i.e. quantitative and qualitative data in two consecutive phases). A quantitative online survey was conducted to determine the use of digital technologies for healthy lifestyle purposes. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with a subset of survey respondents to explore factors influencing their technology use and preferences. RESULTS: Descriptive analysis of survey data (online survey, n = 336) demonstrated the popularity of social media and online video sharing platforms, with evidence that the use of digital technologies does not occur in isolation and girls draw on several resources simultaneously to achieve their desired healthy lifestyle outcomes. Thematic analysis of interview data (semi-structured interviews, n = 29) revealed seven interrelated themes around factors influencing girls' use of, and satisfaction with, different digital technologies: accessibility, social connectivity, credibility, relatability, inspiration, safety, and customisability. CONCLUSIONS: The findings reiterate that one size doesn't fit all girls, and often one size might not even fit one girl, and thus highlight the challenge of catering to such varied use cases. Overall, it appears that current digital technology offerings meet the needs and preferences of adolescent girls for healthy lifestyle purposes, however there may be benefit in allowing greater customisation of use, and consumer driven tailoring of content, according to personal preferences and changing circumstances.
History
Journal
BMC public healthVolume
22Issue
1Pagination
1464 - ?Publisher DOI
eISSN
1471-2458Usage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedLicence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC