Abstract

Image-based social media platforms, such as Pinterest, have revolutionized how individuals seek, share, and interpret health information. Previous research suggests a link between consuming social media content and intentions to engage in health behaviors; however, it is unclear if individuals who actively seek health-related information on social media engage in healthier behaviors. This mixed-methods study explored the relationships among Pinterest use, motivations, self-efficacy, and health behaviors. Women participants (n = 227) completed surveys that included sociodemographic characteristics, motivation, self-efficacy, Pinterest use, and diet and exercise behaviors. Independent samples t-tests assessed differences in exercise behaviors, and multivariate analyses of variance determined differences in dietary behaviors. Open-ended short answers were coded using thematic analysis. There were no differences in dietary (p= .18) or exercise behaviors (p = .23) between Pinterest users and non-users. Curating health-related content was related to higher diet self-efficacy (r = .25), though there were no differences in dietary (p = .06) or exercise (p = .51) behaviors between Pinterest users with health-related boards and those without health-related boards. Four themes emerged from the qualitative data: (1) Motivation to change; (2) Construction of a health toolkit; (3) The best of intentions; and (4) Looking to the future. Findings suggest that health-related content is pinned to inspire health behavior change; however, just engaging with the content on Pinterest is different than applying the information to the point of behavior change.

Keywords: social media, health behavior, diet, exercise

How to Cite:

Dolphin, K. E., Char, R. & Rogers, S., (2024) “Just Pin It: Understanding the Dynamics of Pinterest Use, Motivation, Self-Efficacy, and Health Behaviors”, Health Behavior Research 7(2). doi: https://doi.org/10.4148/2572-1836.1215