Health Behavioral Adoption Model for Depression Intervention Using Virtual Reality Technology

Emotional disorders are a leading cause of suicide worldwide. Meanwhile, research has shown that Virtual Reality (VR) technology can serve as an effective intervention for emotional disorders. Therefore, this study aims to develop a health behavior model for depression intervention using VR technology. The model integrates the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and is based on data collected from 398 individuals diagnosed with depression in Suphan Buri Province, Thailand, through a structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) revealed that Perceived Usefulness (PU) had the strongest influence (β = 0.448, p < 0.001), followed by Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU), Perceived Barriers (PBA), Modifying Factors (MF), Cues to Action (CA), and Perceived Benefits (PBE). This study contributes theoretically by proposing a novel integration of HBM and TAM, and practically by identifying the determinants of VR technology acceptance for depression intervention. This study’s contribution facilitates the identification of the inaugural application of Modifying Factors to forecast the acceptance of VR technology, which positively influences depression intervention, thereby promoting its utilization as a therapeutic tool and enhancing emotional experiences in the future.