Gender Disparity in Expressed Emotions within Health‐Related Online Support Groups

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 883-885
Author(s):  
Yuehua Zhao ◽  
Hao Wang ◽  
Sanhong Deng ◽  
Ye Chen
Keyword(s):  
Support Groups ◽  
Gender Disparity ◽  
Online Support ◽  
Online Support Groups ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Expressed Emotions

scholarly journals Implementing Ethically-Sound Research on Online Health-Related Support Groups

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Internet Research ◽  
Online Support ◽  
Online Support Groups ◽  
Ethical Challenges ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Health Related

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to review the benefits and dilemmas associated with ethically-sound literary research and to provide guidelines for qualitative research within the context of online health-related support groups.Summary of Key Points: The Internet is a significant resource for the acquisition of healthcare information for healthcare consumers. For those seeking assistance with health-related disabilities, online support groups provide opportunities to share information, to share experiences, and to obtain support. Healthcare professionals recognize the text-based communications used by these groups as a rich data source for client-centered qualitative research. This article highlights the possible risks arising from Internet research to the rights and safety of research participants. Potential rewards to be gained from this type of research include improved patient-centered outcomes, improved service delivery models, and improved education programs for clients and professionals. This article presents a summary of Internet research literature and currently accepted research methodology to explain the ethical challenges related to balancing the benefits of listserv research with protection of individual rights. Recommendations for ethically-sound research within the context of online support groups are summarized based on traditional research policy and guidelines, recommendations from interdisciplinary groups, and opinions from experienced online researchers.

Online Social Support Groups/Communities

2022 ◽  
pp. 349-369
Author(s):  
Liza Ngenye ◽  
Kevin Wright
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Online Support ◽  
Online Support Groups ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Online Social Support ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Online Networks ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Health Related

Numerous studies over the past two decades suggest that people with a variety of health concerns are increasingly turning to online networks for social support. This has led to the rise of online support groups/communities for people facing health concerns. Researchers have found that these groups/communities provide patients, disease survivors, and caregivers a number of advantages and disadvantages in terms of mobilizing social support for their health-related concerns. This chapter will examine these issues in greater detail as well as the theoretical and practical implications of this body of research for patients who use online support communities to help cope with and manage a variety of health issues. It will provide an overview of online social support and health outcomes, discuss key processes and theoretical explanations for the efficacy of online support communities for people facing health concerns, and the limitations of this body of research as well as an agenda for future communication research on health-related online support groups/communities.

Online Social Support Groups/Communities

2018 ◽  
pp. 1-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liza Ngenye ◽  
Kevin Wright
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Online Support ◽  
Online Support Groups ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Online Social Support ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Online Networks ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Health Related

Numerous studies over the past two decades suggest that people with a variety of health concerns are increasingly turning to online networks for social support. This has led to the rise of online support groups/communities for people facing health concerns. Researchers have found that these groups/communities provide patients, disease survivors, and caregivers a number of advantages and disadvantages in terms of mobilizing social support for their health-related concerns. This chapter will examine these issues in greater detail as well as the theoretical and practical implications of this body of research for patients who use online support communities to help cope with and manage a variety of health issues. It will provide an overview of online social support and health outcomes, discuss key processes and theoretical explanations for the efficacy of online support communities for people facing health concerns, and the limitations of this body of research as well as an agenda for future communication research on health-related online support groups/communities.

scholarly journals Online support groups for head and neck cancer and health-related quality of life

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 2351-2362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eamar Algtewi ◽  
Janine Owens ◽  
Sarah R. Baker
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Online Support ◽  
Online Support Groups ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Purpose To investigate the association between using online support groups (OSGs) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and the psychosocial factors that may influence this association among individuals with head and neck (H&N) cancer. Method A sample of 199 persons with H&N cancer using four OSGs completed an online questionnaire using six pre-validated measures for social network, self-efficacy, anxiety and depression, adjustment, empowerment and quality of life. In addition, socio-demographic as well as illness-related and OSGs-related information was collected. Results Participants who had better HRQoL had been using OSGs for a longer time than those who had worse HRQoL (B = 0.07, p < 0.05). Depression and adjustment were the only direct mediators in this association, whereas self-efficacy, anxiety and empowerment appeared as indirect mediators. Conclusion Participation in OSGs was found to be associated to better HRQoL either directly or indirectly through decreasing depression, anxiety and the negative adjustment behaviours and increasing self-efficacy and empowerment of the users. The study presented a potential model of pathways linking OSG use and HRQoL for those with H&N cancer. However, the model needs to be tested in future longitudinal studies and the associations proposed need to be explored in greater detail.

scholarly journals Communication in health-related online social support groups/communities: A review of research on predictors of participation, applications of social support theory, and health outcomes

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 65-87
Author(s):  
Kevin Wright
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Online Support ◽  
Online Support Groups ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Online Social Support ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Health Related

This article reviews literature on online support groups/communities for individuals facing health concerns. Specifically, the article focuses on predictors of online support group/community participation, major theoretical frameworks that have been applied to the study of online support groups/communities, and coping strategies and health outcomes for individuals facing health concerns. Finally, the article discusses the strengths and limitations of existing empirical studies in this area; presents a critique of the relative merits and limitations of a number of theoretical frameworks that have been applied to the study of online support groups/communities for people facing health concerns; and it provides an agenda for future communication research on health-related online support groups/communities.

scholarly journals Nurturing health-related online support groups: Exploring the experiences of patient moderators

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 1695-1701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil S. Coulson ◽  
Rachel L. Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Support Groups ◽  
Online Support ◽  
Online Support Groups ◽  
Health Related

Peer-to-Peer Health-Related Online Support Groups

2019 ◽  
pp. 222-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil S. Coulson
Keyword(s):  
Support Groups ◽  
Peer To Peer ◽  
Online Support ◽  
Online Support Groups ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
Empathic Communication ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Group Members

In recent years, the internet has provided new opportunities for individuals living with health-related problems to communicate with each other via online support groups. These groups offer many unique advantages, such as convenience, anonymity, and access to a diverse range of group members. However, there are potential disadvantages to their use, for example, misleading information. Within such groups, patients may talk about a range of issues and provide support to one another, particularly informational and emotional support. Through self-disclosure and empathic communication, members may feel able to share personal stories as well as help others. While robust evidence for their effectiveness is lacking, there is much qualitative and cross-sectional evidence suggesting that participation in online support groups may be beneficial. However, there is an urgent need for randomized controlled trials of pure peer-to-peer online support interventions across both physical and mental health conditions.

Peer-to-Peer Health-Related Online Support Groups

2018 ◽  
pp. 3767-3781
Author(s):  
Neil S. Coulson
Keyword(s):  
Support Groups ◽  
Peer To Peer ◽  
Online Support ◽  
Online Support Groups ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
Empathic Communication ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Randomised Controlled

In recent years, the Internet has provided new opportunities for individuals living with health-related problems to communicate with each other via online support groups. These groups offer many unique advantages, such as convenience, anonymity, and access to a diverse range of group members. However, there are potential disadvantages to their use, for example, misleading information. Within such groups, patients may talk about a range of issues and provide support to one another, particularly informational and emotional support. Through self-disclosure and empathic communication, members may feel able to share personal stories as well as help others. Whilst robust evidence for their effectiveness is lacking, there is much qualitative and cross-sectional evidence suggesting that participation in online support groups may be beneficial. However, there is an urgent need for randomised controlled trials of pure peer-to-peer online support interventions across both physical and mental health conditions.

Investigation of the “alternative” effects of an online support group for mental health problems among Japanese adults: A cross-sectional study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osamu Kobori ◽  
Naoki Yoshinaga
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Online Support ◽  
Online Support Groups ◽  
Online Support Group ◽  
Usage Frequency

BACKGROUND Owing to the rapid development of social networking services, online support groups vary widely both in goal and structure. Several studies have shown the potential effectiveness of online support groups, such as reducing psychological distress (eg depression) among individuals with mental health problems. However, online support groups often do not aim at effectiveness regarding distress-relief-related outcomes. OBJECTIVE The U2plus.jp (hereinafter U2plus) is an online support group for individuals with depression; in it, people support each other in structured ways while engaging in simple cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) exercises. This study aimed to examine if usage frequency of the U2plus functions are associated with decreased stigma and increased consumer. METHODS In total, 355 U2plus users took part in an online survey. They were asked what therapy they had ever received, how often they logged into it and used each of its functions, and completed the following questionnaires: The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Perceived Devaluation Discrimination Scale, and the General Help Seeking Scale. RESULTS Regarding the therapy they received, 89.3% (n=308) had been on medication for mental health problems, and 67.5% (n=233) had received psychotherapy or mental health counselling. Regarding the usage frequency, approximately 20% of the participants signed in to U2plus and used its functions more than once a week. The usage frequency of U2plus functions was not associated with perceived stigma. However, usage frequency of some functions was correlated to help seeking intentions from formal sources (eg doctors and psychologists). Moreover, 90% of the participants had a history of medication for their mental health. Additionally, the more depressed participants were, the more frequently they used U2plus. CONCLUSIONS It was suggested that online support groups may serve as an alternative treatment option for those who are already undergoing pharmacological treatment and are willing to seek help from whatever source they deem helpful.

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