Abstract
This research examined the effect of health-related internet use on medical satisfaction and positive health perceptions. Our sample is a nationally representative middle-aged and older internet users (n= 499) aged 40–93. We employed hierarchical least squares (OLS) regression analyses and structural equation modeling (SEM). Results indicate that age moderated the association between medical satisfaction and positive health perceptions (β = .692, p <.002). The non-significant relationship between age and the positive health perception index became significant after adding the interaction term (β = -.295, p <.01). Those who reported higher levels of e-trust but less medical satisfaction indicated lower scores on positive health perceptions index (β = -.491, p = .023). The SEM model revealed that e-health information seeking had the strongest total effect (β = .399, p <.0001; direct and indirect effects combined) on satisfaction with medical encounters, which, in turn had the strongest total effect on positive health perception (β = .415, p <.0001). The fit indices are: χ2 (499) = 35.037, df = 20, p = .020, CFI = .985, NFI = .965, RMSEA = .038, TLI = .970. Findings also indicate that medical satisfaction has a stronger association with better self-care, and health-related quality of life, and perception of improved health status among those aged 60 and older. This study addresses a timely and important subject and highlights the importance of information and communication technologies for health and well-being of older adults. It also offers pathways that could guide intervention studies to improve subjective health outcomes.