Determinants of engagement in virtual social networks in Singapore

The use of virtual social networks (VSNs) has been prevalent among consumers worldwide. Numerous studies have investigated various aspects of VSNs. However, these studies have mainly focused on students and young adults as they were early adopters of these innovative networks. A search of the literature revealed there has been a paucity of research on adult consumers’ use of VSNs. This research study addressed this gap in the literature by examining the determinants of engagement in VSNs among adult consumers in Singapore. The objectives of this study are to empirically investigate the determinants of engagement in VSNs and to offer theoretical insights into consumers’ preference and usage of VSNs. This study tapped upon several theories developed in the discipline of technology and innovation adoption. These were Roger’s Diffusion of Innovation, Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Conceptual Framework of Individual Innovation Adoption by Frambach and Schillewaert (2002), Enhanced Model of Innovation Adoption by Talukder (2011), Extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) and the Information Systems (IS) Success Model. The proposed research model, named the Media Usage Model (MUM), is a framework rooted in innovation diffusion and IS theories. The MUM distilled the essence of these established models and thus provides an updated, lucid explanation of engagement in VSNs. A cross-sectional, online social survey was conducted to collect quantitative data to examine the validity of the proposed research model. Multivariate data analysis was carried out on a data set comprising 806 usable responses by utilizing SPSS, and for structural equation modeling AMOS and SmartPLS. The results indicate that consumer attitude towards VSNs is significantly and positively influenced by: three individual factors – hedonic motivation, incentives and experience; two system characteristics – system quality and information quality; and one social factor – social bonding. Consumer demographics were found to influence people’s attitudes towards VSNs. In addition, consumer experience and attitude towards VSNs significantly and positively influence their usage of VSNs. The empirical data supported the proposed research model, explaining 80% of variance in attitude towards VSNs and 45% of variance in usage of VSNs. Therefore, the MUM achieves a definite contribution to theoretical knowledge of consumer engagement in VSNs by deepening and broadening our appreciation of the intricacies related to use of VSNs in Singapore. This study’s findings have implications for customer service management, services marketing and consumer behavior. These findings also have strategic implications for maximizing efficient utilization and effective management of VSNs by businesses and operators. The contributions of this research are: firstly, shifting the boundaries of technology or innovation adoption theories from research on employees to consumers as well as the boundaries of Internet usage or adoption research from students to adults, which is also known as empirical generalization; secondly, highlighting the issues associated with lack of significance of social factors in adoption research; and thirdly, augmenting information systems research by integrating important antecedents for success in information systems.

Coherent childbearing

Background: Over the last 10 years, Australia's spontaneous vaginal birth rate has decreased approximately 1% each year and the caesarean section rate has increased approximately 1% each year. This trend has serious implications for the health of women and babies. As midwives we are the caretakers of normal birth and therefore partly responsible for its decline and the solution to its decline. Although antenatal education is in a potentially powerful position to promote normal birth, a structured review conducted as part of this thesis found that it does not realise that potential. Currently framed in pathogenesis, antenatal education in particular and maternity services in general, are in need of reframing. The theory of salutogenesis may offer a new lens as it focuses on health rather than illness. Sense of coherence is the cornerstone of salutogenesis and is a predictive indicator of health. What is unclear is the role pregnant women's sense of coherence plays in their birthing outcomes. This study explored associations between pregnant women's sense of coherence, their pregnancy choices, their anticipated labour choices, their labour and birthing outcomes as well as factors associated with modification to sense of coherence from the antenatal to postnatal periods. Methods: After a comprehensive review of the literature, questionnaire development and psychometric tool testing and modification, a longitudinal survey was conducted where eligible women completed a questionnaire before the 30th week of pregnancy (Phase One) and approximately 8 weeks after birth (Phase Two). Eligible women were less than 30 weeks pregnant with a single fetus, could read and write in English and lived in the Australian Capital Territory in Australia. Phase One provided information on women's sense of coherence scores, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores, Support Behaviour Inventory (SBI) scores, pregnancy choices including care proVider, planned place of birth, planned birth type and anticipated epidural use and demographics. Phase Two provided information on women's sense of coherence scores, EPDS scores and their labour and birthing outcomes. Findings: 1074 women completed Phase One representing a 61.3% response rate. 753 women completed Phase Two representing a 70.1% retention rate between phases. Compared to women with low sense of coherence, women with high sense of coherence were older, reported fewer pregnancy conditions such as diabetes or hypertension, were less likely to have depressive symptoms, were more likely to feel well supported, were less likely to experience a caesarean section and more likely to experience an assisted vaginal birth. Sense of coherence was not associated with women's pregnancy choices. Higher EPDS scores, lower sense of coherence and greater satisfaction with birth were associated with an increase in women's sense of coherence from the antenatal to the postnatal period. Decreased birth satisfaction and experiencing epidural anaesthesia in labour and assisted vaginal birth were associated with a decrease in sense of coherence from the antenatal to the postnatal period. Conclusion: Strong sense of coherence in pregnant women halved the likelihood of experiencing caesarean section compared to women with low sense of coherence. Sense of coherence is a modifiable predictor of women's childbearing health and was found to be raised by birth satisfaction and lowered by birth dissatisfaction and labour interventions. These important findings add to the limited body of knowledge about sense of coherence and childbearing.