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Cin-computers Informatics Nursing, 2006
The number of people participating in computermediated social support (CMSS) groups currently counts in the millions 1 and has been rising steadily in the past few years. 2 Experts have predicted that computer-based health communication services will continue to expand, and consumers will increasingly turn to them for health information, communication, and support. 3 In the past decade, several studies on the ways women with breast cancer use CMSS groups have been published. Numerous descriptive accounts related to whether people will use such groups, the extent to which they will do so, and the general nature of the support exchanged within these groups have been published. 4-6 Other research offers a more qualitative, phenomenological account of the discourse within CMSS groups for women with breast cancer. 7,8 Recent research illustrates some of the unique ways that women with breast cancer from different demographic backgrounds participate in CMSS groups 9 and demonstrates that participation in CMSS groups can affect various mental health outcomes. 10,11 Despite the growing body of research, there is still a lack of understanding about these groups. 12,13 One current gap in nursing informatics and health communication research is an understanding of what types of people are most likely to use computer-mediated support groups in the first place. The purpose of this current study is to provide insights about the characteristics of individuals who participate in CMSS groups for women with breast cancer. Such questions are relevant to a number of practical concerns. First, it is important to know whether certain population segments are more likely to be the most active participants in CMSS groups. If training and access are removed as barriers to use, what characteristics predict level of participation in such groups? Research
Women & Health, 2009
Women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), a life-threatening illness, stand to benefit a great deal from online support groups, but none have been studied specifically within this population. The present mixed-method study was carried out to determine which therapeutic factors occurred in online MBC support groups, and to see how such factors might have acted to benefit participants. Participants were 20 women with MBC who participated in online peer support groups. Most reported benefiting in some way from their groups. Six therapeutic factors theorized to be helpful in online support groups and cancer support groups were present in the groups studied: group cohesiveness, information exchange, universality, instillation of hope, catharsis, and altruism. However, although participants reported being able to discuss many other concerns freely, they had difficulty discussing death and dying, which are critical issues for this category of women with BC.
Computer-mediated communication (CMC) and social support
Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 2016
Despite the growth in research examining the use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) for exchanging social support, there remains much to learn about the support-related implications of CMC. An experiment was conducted to examine the influence of the reduced social cues associated with CMC on the outcomes of supportive interaction. Participants discussed a stressor with a confederate either face-to-face or via CMC and received informational or emotional support. Although they received the exact same support messages, participants in the CMC condition reported significantly greater worry and uncertainty discrepancy following the interaction than participants in the face-to-face condition. A main effect was also found for support message type. Consistent with the optimal matching model, informational support led to more beneficial outcomes than emotional support in response to the (controllable) stressor experienced by participants.
Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 2011
To understand the underlying psychosocial reactions against the unfolding of medical events that announce the disease progression, the objective of this analysis was to identify the patterns of online discussion group message themes in relation to the medical timeline of one woman's breast cancer trajectory. 202 messages posted by Darlene (our studied case) were analyzed by 2 independent coders using a grounded theory approach. The findings suggest that the pattern of messages was clearly correlated with distress-inducing events. The most frequent interaction theme was about building friendship with peers through communication of encouragement, validation, appreciation, and life sharing. Narratives of medical progression were constantly updated to identify similarities with peers. Family issues were increasingly raised at the end of life.
LIFE ON THE LINE: THE THERAPEUTIC POTENTIALS OF COMPUTER MEDIATED CONVERSATION
Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 1998
In what ways are computer networking practices comparable to face-to-face therapy? With the exponential increase in computer-mediated communication and the increasing numbers of people joining topically based computer network, the potential for grass-roots therapeutic (or antitherapeutic) interchange is greatly augmented. Here we report the results of research into exchanges on an electronic bulletin board devoted to the topic of suicide. Over an 11-month periodparticipants offered each other valuable resources in terms of validation of experience, sympathy, acceptance, and encouragement. They also asked provocative questions and furnished broad-ranging advice. Hostile entries were rare. However, there were few communiquks that parallel the changeinducing practices more frequent within many therapeutic settings. I n effect, on-line dialogues seemed more sustaining than transforming. Further limits and potentials of on-line communication are explored.
Computer-Mediated Support Group Intervention for Parents
Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 2008
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a computer-mediated support group (CMSG) intervention for parents whose children had been diagnosed with cancer.Design and Methods: An evaluative one-group, before-and-after research design. A CMSG, an unstructured listserve group where participants used their E-mail for communication, was conducted over a 4-month period. Participation in the CMSG was offered to parents in Iceland whose children had completed cancer treatment in the past 5 years. Outcome measures were done: before the intervention (Time 1), after 2 months of intervention (Time 2) and after 4 months of intervention (Time 3) when the project ended. Measures included: demographic and background variables; health related vulnerability factors of parents: anxiety, depression, somatization, and stress; perceived mutual support; and use of the CMSG. Data were collected from November 2002 to June 2003. Twenty-one of 58 eligible parents participated in the study, with 71% retention rate for both post-tests.Findings: Mothers' depression decreased significantly from Time 2 to Time 3 (p<.03). Fathers' anxiety decreased significantly from Time 1 to Time 3 (p<.01). Fathers' stress decreased significantly from Time 2 to Time 3 (p<.02). To some extent, mothers and fathers perceived mutual support from participating in the CMSG. Both mothers and fathers used the CMSG by reading messages. Messages were primarily written by mothers.Conclusions:Study findings support further development of CMSGs for parents whose children have been diagnosed with cancer.Clinical Relevance: Using computer technology for support is particularly useful for dispersed populations and groups that have restrictions on their time. Computer-mediated support groups have been shown to be a valuable addition to, or substitute for, a traditional face-to-face mutual support group and might suit both genders equally.
Evaluation of An Internet Support Group for Women With Primary Breast Cancer
Cancer, 2003
BACKGROUND. Women with breast carcinoma commonly experience psychologic distress following their diagnosis. Women who participate in breast cancer support groups have reported significant reduction in their psychologic distress and pain and improvement in the quality of their lives. Web-based breast cancer social support groups are widely used, but little is known of their effectiveness. Preliminary evidence suggests that women benefit from their participation in web-based support groups.