An investigation into domestic violence victims' adoption of chatbots for help-seeking: Based on the UTAUT2 and health belief models

Domestic violence cases have increased during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly jeopardizing victims' physical and mental health. However, victims rarely seek help due to the associated stigma. One important strategy to encourage help-seeking is through the use of digital communication tools that ensure confidentiality and anonymity. This study aims to investigate domestic violence victims' adoption intention of chatbots for help-seeking. A review of the related literature is conducted, leading to the development of of a conceptual framework based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) and the Health Belief Model (HBM) for better exploring adoption intentions. This study will provide insights into the impacts of information communication technology on domestic violence victims' adoption of chatbots, and offer valuable information to domestic violence organizations and healthcare providers for the development and implementation of chatbots for help-seeking.