Online Parenting Information Seeking: Gratifications, Usage, and Perceived Importance by Chinese Parents with Young Children

Abstract

這項研究探討了中國父母的滿足、預期價值與網路連繫性，跟網上育兒資訊的重要性之間的關連。通過對391位年輕父母的問卷調查，結果顯示，資訊的可操作性和可靠性能顯著預測網上育兒資訊搜尋行為。心理需求能顯著預測尋求兒童健康和發展相關網上資訊的重要性，而社交需要則是網上幼兒教育資訊重要性的顯著預測因子。本研究從以往文獻側重健康資訊的傾向，擴展至更廣的育兒資訊範疇，並豐富了關於網路和育兒資訊搜尋的知識。

This exploratory research examines how different gratifications, expectancy value, and Internet connectedness are related to usage and perceived importance of the Internet in seeking parenting information by Internet users with young children in China. Data were gathered from a sample of 391 young parents via questionnaire survey. Results showed that operability and reliability are significant predictors of attitude and behaviors of online parenting information seeking. Psychological needs significantly predicted perceived importance of the Internet in seeking information on children's health and development, while need for social networking is a significant predictor of perceived importance of online early education information. This study empirically extends previous research from health information to more general parenting information. It also enriches the research regarding the Internet and parenting information seeking.