Social Media Utilization Within Asian American Families and Its Role in Healthy Lifestyle Behavioral Influence: Results From a Nationwide Survey

Objective: Social media platforms are effective tools for promoting public health and implementing impactful health interventions. This study explored social media utilization patterns among young Asian American adults and their effect on perceived family influence on lifestyle behaviors. Methods: T...

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Main Authors: Farhan M. Mohsin, Shahmir H. Ali, Stella K. Chong, Roshan S. Parikh, Ralph J. DiClemente, Lu Hu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2023-09-01
Series:Social Media + Society
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051231196544
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author Farhan M. Mohsin
Shahmir H. Ali
Stella K. Chong
Roshan S. Parikh
Ralph J. DiClemente
Lu Hu
author_facet Farhan M. Mohsin
Shahmir H. Ali
Stella K. Chong
Roshan S. Parikh
Ralph J. DiClemente
Lu Hu
author_sort Farhan M. Mohsin
collection DOAJ
description Objective: Social media platforms are effective tools for promoting public health and implementing impactful health interventions. This study explored social media utilization patterns among young Asian American adults and their effect on perceived family influence on lifestyle behaviors. Methods: The study analyzes data from Asian American young adults (aged 18–35 years) participating in an online survey in March 2021. Results: A total of 739 Asian Americans participated in the survey: 45.6% East Asian, 23.4% Southeast Asian, and 22.7% South Asian. Common social media platforms include Facebook Messenger (60.9%) and Instagram (57.0%). US-born Asian Americans reported higher odds of using Instagram (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.64, 95% CI: [1.09, 2.46]) than foreign-born Asian Americans. Higher acculturation was associated with lower odds of using Instagram among South Asians (AOR: .46, 95% CI: [.24, .83]) and greater odds of using Instagram among East Asians (AOR: 1.72, 95% CI: [1.09, 2.75]). Interacting with mothers using Facebook and Instagram had a higher perceived influence on one’s ability to improve sleep (AOR: 2.08, 95% CI: [1.19, 3.65]; AOR: 2.53, 95% CI: [1.15, 5.55]) and develop stress-management strategies (AOR: 1.73, 95% CI: [1.02, 2.96]; AOR: 4.05, 95% CI: [1.83, 9.49]). With one’s siblings, Facebook was associated with a lower perceived influence on avoiding risky substances (AOR: .48, 95% CI: [.23, .97]), and WhatsApp was associated with a higher perceived influence on one’s ability to develop stress-management strategies (AOR: 3.10, 95% CI: [1.26, 7.78]) and form/maintain relationships (AOR: 2.58, 95% CI: [1.02, 6.58]). No significant findings with father interactions were observed. Conclusion: Findings provide evidence for researchers seeking to tailor social media–based interpersonal health interventions to address the unique needs of diverse Asian American communities.
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spelling doaj.art-1eedd6a111bd4f959e9349e939fa35872023-09-08T13:35:04ZengSAGE PublishingSocial Media + Society2056-30512023-09-01910.1177/20563051231196544Social Media Utilization Within Asian American Families and Its Role in Healthy Lifestyle Behavioral Influence: Results From a Nationwide SurveyFarhan M. Mohsin0Shahmir H. Ali1Stella K. Chong2Roshan S. Parikh3Ralph J. DiClemente4Lu Hu5NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USANYU School of Global Public Health, New York, NY, USANYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USANYU School of Global Public Health, New York, NY, USANYU School of Global Public Health, New York, NY, USANYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USAObjective: Social media platforms are effective tools for promoting public health and implementing impactful health interventions. This study explored social media utilization patterns among young Asian American adults and their effect on perceived family influence on lifestyle behaviors. Methods: The study analyzes data from Asian American young adults (aged 18–35 years) participating in an online survey in March 2021. Results: A total of 739 Asian Americans participated in the survey: 45.6% East Asian, 23.4% Southeast Asian, and 22.7% South Asian. Common social media platforms include Facebook Messenger (60.9%) and Instagram (57.0%). US-born Asian Americans reported higher odds of using Instagram (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.64, 95% CI: [1.09, 2.46]) than foreign-born Asian Americans. Higher acculturation was associated with lower odds of using Instagram among South Asians (AOR: .46, 95% CI: [.24, .83]) and greater odds of using Instagram among East Asians (AOR: 1.72, 95% CI: [1.09, 2.75]). Interacting with mothers using Facebook and Instagram had a higher perceived influence on one’s ability to improve sleep (AOR: 2.08, 95% CI: [1.19, 3.65]; AOR: 2.53, 95% CI: [1.15, 5.55]) and develop stress-management strategies (AOR: 1.73, 95% CI: [1.02, 2.96]; AOR: 4.05, 95% CI: [1.83, 9.49]). With one’s siblings, Facebook was associated with a lower perceived influence on avoiding risky substances (AOR: .48, 95% CI: [.23, .97]), and WhatsApp was associated with a higher perceived influence on one’s ability to develop stress-management strategies (AOR: 3.10, 95% CI: [1.26, 7.78]) and form/maintain relationships (AOR: 2.58, 95% CI: [1.02, 6.58]). No significant findings with father interactions were observed. Conclusion: Findings provide evidence for researchers seeking to tailor social media–based interpersonal health interventions to address the unique needs of diverse Asian American communities.https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051231196544
spellingShingle Farhan M. Mohsin
Shahmir H. Ali
Stella K. Chong
Roshan S. Parikh
Ralph J. DiClemente
Lu Hu
Social Media Utilization Within Asian American Families and Its Role in Healthy Lifestyle Behavioral Influence: Results From a Nationwide Survey
Social Media + Society
title Social Media Utilization Within Asian American Families and Its Role in Healthy Lifestyle Behavioral Influence: Results From a Nationwide Survey
title_full Social Media Utilization Within Asian American Families and Its Role in Healthy Lifestyle Behavioral Influence: Results From a Nationwide Survey
title_fullStr Social Media Utilization Within Asian American Families and Its Role in Healthy Lifestyle Behavioral Influence: Results From a Nationwide Survey
title_full_unstemmed Social Media Utilization Within Asian American Families and Its Role in Healthy Lifestyle Behavioral Influence: Results From a Nationwide Survey
title_short Social Media Utilization Within Asian American Families and Its Role in Healthy Lifestyle Behavioral Influence: Results From a Nationwide Survey
title_sort social media utilization within asian american families and its role in healthy lifestyle behavioral influence results from a nationwide survey
url https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051231196544
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