Research on the influencing factors and pathways of user health information disclosure behavior on medical and health platforms: based on PLS-SEM, NCA, and fsQCA analysis

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Authors: Chenxuan Yu, Yuqi Bi, Juncheng Jia, Siyu Liu, Kun Lv
Cited by: 1
References: 20

Abstract

With the rapid development of medical and health platforms, user health information disclosure behavior has become increasingly critical to the sustainable operation and effective dissemination of health information online. Given this context, understanding the underlying influencing factors and behavioral pathways is of great significance for promoting health information exchange and enhancing platform engagement. To this end, this study integrates the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and Knowledge-Attitude-Practice (KAP) framework to construct a comprehensive model of health information disclosure behavior. Data were collected from 824 users through online questionnaires and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), complemented by fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) and necessity analysis (NCA). The results reveal that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness significantly and positively influence users' attitudes and willingness to disclose, while perceived trustworthiness and perceived behavioral control further enhance these effects. Moreover, both disclosure willingness and perceived behavioral control directly drive actual disclosure behavior. Through systematic configuration analysis, five distinct pathways to high-level information disclosure behavior are identified. These findings provide new theoretical insights into the mechanisms of user disclosure intention and offer practical implications for the sustainable development of digital health platforms.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Technology Adoption and User Behaviour Behavioral Health and Interventions Digital Marketing and Social Media

Publication details

Journal / source
Frontiers in Public Health
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Volume
13
Pages
1728302–1728302
Publication date
9 January 2026
Language
EN