Factors Influencing eHealth Literacy Related to Parenting Among Asian Immigrant Mothers in South Korea.

Abstract

Immigrants face barriers to accessing healthcare owing to language and cultural differences. Considering the eHealth literacy of immigrant mother is important, particularly as many rely on online resources for information on childcare. This observational cross-sectional study aimed to identify the factors influencing eHealth literacy among immigrant mothers with young children in South Korea. We hypothesized that factors influencing eHealth literacy include perceived ease of seeking, credibility, positive experiences, and subjective norms for online health information, as conceptualized by the Technology Acceptance Model, including cultural adaptation. The analysis results revealed that perceived ease of seeking (β = .45), positive experiences (β = .14), and subjective norms (β = .15) significantly affected eHealth literacy. Additionally, integrated cultural adaptation (β = .23) and the child's medical history (β = .11) significantly influenced eHealth literacy. To enhance eHealth literacy related to parenting for immigrant mothers, educating them on search strategies for online health information and fostering positive user experiences are crucial. Furthermore, these interventions should adopt a family-focused approach, with integrated cultural adaptation proving more beneficial for effective settlement support of immigrant mothers.