Date of Award
2011
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Program
Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Supervisor
Dr. Lorie Doneile
Abstract
The growth in Internet use for health care is paralleled by the increase in chronic health
conditions such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study explores the perceptions o f online privacy held by individuals with PD. Ten individuals with PD participated in hour-long, semi- structured, in-person interviews. Analysis of the transcripts yielded four major themes regarding participant perceptions: (1) online information privacy, including discussions o f private information, exceptions, and anonymity; (2) media, family, and friends as sources o f knowledge about online information safety; (3) reasons for privacy concerns, including physical vulnerability, the lack o f ‘people’ on the Internet, and attitudes toward privacy and disclosure; and, (4) non-privacy related reasons for non-use o f Internet resources. Highlighted aspects o f participant perceptions include: lack o f awareness concerning privacy legislation and online PD communities, the perceived value of online resources as factual not supportive, and inability to form bonds of trust in online relationships.
Recommended Citation
Lee, Allyson Y., "Perceptions of online information privacy among individuals with Parkinson's Disease" (2011). Digitized Theses. 3694.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/3694