Factors influencing the effect of proxy health information seeking behavior: A grounded theory exploration

Extant research on proxy health information-seeking behavior (PHISB) mainly focuses on the process and influencing factors of behavior, as well as the characteristics, behavior patterns, and proxy-seeking intention of seekers. There is, however, a lack of discussion on the effect of PHISB. This study aims to construct a theoretical framework model of the factors that influence the effect of PHISB, and more specifically, the effect perceived by the proxy. Semi-structured in-depth interviews and procedural grounded theory were used to explore the factors influencing the proxy perceived effect of PHISB. Participants were 18 middle-aged individuals of different genders, occupations, and education levels in China. The interview texts were analyzed and coded according to procedural grounded theory, and four factors were found to influence the proxy perceived effect of PHISB in China: information quality, inherent cognition, rational cognition, and perceptual cognition. A theoretical framework model of these factors was constructed, which has certain reference values and significance for improving the effect of PHISB.