Examining Protection Motivation and Network Externality Perspective Regarding the Continued Intention to Use M-Health Apps

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 May 26;18(11):5684. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18115684.

Abstract

M-health apps have developed rapidly and are widely accepted, but users' continued intention to use m-health apps has not been fully explored. This study was designed to obtain a better understanding of users' continued intention to use m-health apps. We developed a theoretical model by incorporating the protection motivation theory and network externalities and conducted an empirical study of a 368-respondent sample. The results showed that: (1) perceived vulnerability has a direct impact on users' self-efficacy and response efficacy; (2) self-efficacy and response efficacy have a direct impact on users' attitudes and continued intention; (3) network externalities affect users' attitudes and continued intention, among which direct network externalities have an indirect impact on users' continued intention through attitude; and (4) the impacts of self-efficacy, response efficacy, and indirect network externalities on continued intention are partially meditated by attitudes.

Keywords: continued intention; m-health apps; network externality; perceived vulnerability; protection motivation theory; response efficacy; self-efficacy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Intention
  • Mobile Applications*
  • Motivation
  • Self Efficacy
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Telemedicine*