Does Identification Matter? How Felt-Connectedness among University Students in Kenya and the USA Influences Health Seeking Behaviours

Abstract

Guided by social identity theory (SIT), this study considers how identification influences health seeking behaviours among college  students in Kenya and the USA. The study sought to investigate how felt-connectedness among students influenced the health choices they made and the relevance of identification to health. Data were collected using responsive interviews with 22 students in a large Kenyan university and 21 students at a Midwestern university. The age of the participants from both countries ranged from 20 to 29 years. Data were coded and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study indicate that identification  influenced students’ health seeking behaviours, especially on use of contraceptives, vaccination, choosing a physician, offering advice, eating habits, and in ensuring safety for friends at risk. This study point to the need of health communicators to utilize  identification in health interventions targeting college students.