Measuring media‐related health and mental health information acquisition among Latino adults in the United States

Abstract

ObjectivesWe developed and evaluated new media‐related health information acquisition measures for U.S.‐based Latino populations.MethodsIn 2021, a sample of U.S.‐based Latino adults (N = 1574) self‐completed a 20‐min survey of health information acquisition measures across three language/cultural dimensions: Spanish media, Latino‐tailored media in English, and general media in English. Socio‐demographics were also ascertained. Means and standard deviations for the health acquisition measures were adjusted for age and sex and reported across nativity status.ResultsThe sample was diverse across age, gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, migration, and language competency. Internal consistency reliability of developed scales was excellent overall and within age, gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic subgroups (Cronbach's alphas = 0.86–0.94). English media scales had higher means overall indicating higher prolonged quantity (i.e., dosage) than Spanish media scales. In contrast, standard deviations for Spanish media scales were higher overall indicating broader reach at lower doses than English media scales.ConclusionsFindings suggest English‐language media is popular among Latino populations overall. However, Spanish‐language media retains broad reach through both passive and active exposure. Our findings demonstrate the value of including more nuanced measurement of health information acquisition such as the scales developed in this study to improve health promotion among Latino populations.

Media-Based Health Information Seeking Behaviors Among Latinx Populations in the United States

“…Media Use. As previously validated and reported (DuPont-Reyes et al, 2023), seven items assessed media use across three language/cultural domains of Spanish, Latinx-tailored English, and general English: print media; free broadcast TV; subscription TV; Twitter; other social media (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, TikTok); radio/podcasts; and music/music streaming. Participants were asked how often they engage in each media type on an average day (1 = Never to 5 = Always).…”

“…Media-Based Health Information Seeking. Also previously validated (DuPont-Reyes et al, 2023), five items assessed frequency of mental health and physical health information seeking (i.e., searching on purpose for health information in media) across three language/cultural domains of Spanish, Latinx-tailored English, and general English: print media, TV, websites, social media, or radio/podcasts. Participants were asked how often they sought mental health and physical health information (i.e., seeking) in each media type for a mental health or physical health problem for oneself, a family member, or friend (1 = None to 4 = Always).…”

“…Age, sex, ethnicity, race, nativity, education, income, and migration factors (e.g., age at arrival to the U.S.) were ascertained via self-report (Table 1). Six-items measured ethnic attachment (α = 0.90)-the extent of exploration, belonging, and commitment to one's ethnic identity-while 18-items measured acculturation (α = 0.90-0.91) which assessed language use and proficiency (DuPont-Reyes et al, 2023;Marin & Gamba, 1996;Phinney & Rosenthal, 1992).…”

“…To obtain a diverse sample of historically underrepresented Latinx populations in health-related research, recruitment quotas by ethnic origin and age were provided to Qualtrics to generate a diverse Latinx sample with respect to these factors as opposed to achieving a nationally representative sample. Details about the study procedures and survey assessments were reported elsewhere (DuPont-Reyes et al, 2023). A definition of "Latinx" identity was provided to participants to determine eligibility to participate in the study.…”

“…Finally, most participants chose to complete the survey in English (85.32%) and reported high ethnic attachment (Mean = 33.35). Details comparing the achieved study sample to national data on Latinx populations were reported elsewhere (DuPont-Reyes et al, 2023).…”