Research on attitudes toward and intention to use online counseling: Using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology

Objectives The purpose of this study was to validate the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). Methods For this, an online survey was conducted with a sample of 350 adults. For data analysis, an independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA and structural equation model verification were conducted. Results As a result, men scored higher on intention to use online counseling than women and participants on their 60s scored higher on both usefulness of and intention to use online counseling. In addition, participants who re-ceived face-to-face counseling and online counseling showed higher levels of intention to use online counseling compared to those who did not received any counseling. Finally, results supported the UTAUT. Conclusions The results supported the UTAUT by revealing a casual chain in which perceived advantages of online counseling were positively related to utilization of online counseling through the perceived usefulness of online counseling. In contrast, perceived barriers of online counseling were negatively associated with utilization of on-line counseling through the perceived usefulness of online counseling.