Leader behaviors in Facebook support groups: An exploratory study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tal Eitan ◽  
Tali Gazit
Keyword(s):  
Support Groups ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Leader Behaviors

scholarly journals An Exploratory Study of The Perceptions of Footwear for Individuals who use Lower Limb Orthotics

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Gegen ◽  
Teresa Plummer ◽  
Nancy Darr
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Online Support ◽  
Online Support Groups ◽  
Expert Opinions ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Individual

The purpose of this study was to explore individual’s perceptions of orthotics and footwear. A survey was created by the authors with the expert opinions of physical and occupational therapists and was distributed to two therapy clinics in Tennessee that provide both occupational therapy and physical therapy as well as on several online support groups. Seventy-nine (79) caregivers completed surveys. Thematic analysis was performed using Nvivo 10 (QSR International) and descriptive statistics were generated using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) IBM International). Ninety percent (90%) of participants report that orthotics affect what type of shoes the user can wear. Eighty-two percent (82%) report that it is difficult to shop for shoes that accommodate orthotics. Sixty-one percent (61%) report that the user would be more likely to wear their orthotics if they had more options of shoes to wear. Fifty-nine percent (59%) report that the user would be more likely to wear their orthotics if they had shoes that were more attractive. The importance of collaborating with consumers when designing products is essential for the success of both the individual and the product.

Exploring Member-Leader Behaviors and Interaction in an Online Support Group

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 452-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily A. Paskewitz ◽  
Stephenson J. Beck
Keyword(s):  
Support Groups ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Process Analysis ◽  
Online Support ◽  
Online Support Groups ◽  
Leader Behaviors ◽  
Online Support Group ◽  
Online Groups ◽  
Meaning Attribution ◽  
To Receive

Online support groups are a common way for people to receive social support. Utilizing online support sites allows members to connect with people in similar situations, without the need for geographic proximity. Many online groups rely on member-leaders, or individuals with personal experience, to lead groups. These member-leaders are often favored by members over professional leaders but often lack training in leadership. This project explored how member-leaders interact in an online support group. This article uses both interaction process analysis (IPA) and research on leader behaviors to understand how member-leaders communicate in online support groups. Results show that leaders primarily use task messages, with the majority of leader behaviors labeled as meaning attribution and use of self. Member-leaders primarily focused on perspective taking rather than discussion facilitation. An examination of the task and relational interaction profile in terms of leader behaviors is also explored.

An Exploratory Study of Homeschooling in Kansas

1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer McGraw ◽  
M. Betsy Bergen ◽  
Walter R. Schumm
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Gender Role ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Time Management ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Family Interaction ◽  
Traditional Gender Role ◽  
Household Organization

Personal interviews with a nonrandom sample of four current or former homeschooling mothers indicated that these mothers were homeschooling to avoid what they perceived as negative social or academic aspects of public schools and to promote closer family interaction. While the families appeared to be divided along traditional gender-role assignments, fathers were responsible for at least one of the children's subjects, usually science, religion, or physical education. While all the mothers saw time management and household organization as a stressful challenge, support from their husbands and homeschooling-support groups was critical in dealing effectively with the stresses of homeschooling.

scholarly journals Perceptions and experiences of rare diseases among General Practitioners: an exploratory study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie McMullan ◽  
Ashleen L. Crowe ◽  
Taylor McClenaghan ◽  
Helen McAneney ◽  
Amy Jayne McKnight
Keyword(s):  
Rare Disease ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Rare Diseases ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Disease Awareness ◽  
Specialist Services

AbstractBackgroundGeneral Practitioners (GPs) play an important role in healthcare delivery for people living with a rare disease and their families. Managing long-term multisystem diseases that often have no cure and sub-optimal treatment options can be extremely challenging.AimTo gain an understanding of GP’s perception and experience of rare diseases.Design and SettingThis is an exploratory study with GPs from Northern Ireland.MethodAn online survey was hosted within SmartSurvey, available for 6 weeks in early 2019, which queried: GPs career to date, interactions with rare disease patients, challenges faced, the exchange of information with patients, priorities for the future, support for such patients and finally training.ResultsSixty-six GPs engaged with the survey with 15 completing the survey. Many frustrations were mentioned by GPs when caring for such patients including finding a diagnosis, lack of specialist services and lack of awareness. Seventy-nine percent of GPs responding did not feel adequately trained to care for patients with a rare disease, while 93% were interested in undertaking training to enable them to improve their care for rare disease patients.ConclusionMore effective and convenient ‘rare disease’ focused training programs would help GPs manage patients with rare diseases. Enabling efficient, effective communication between GPs and individual medical specialists is of paramount importance to give GPs access to information on how to effectively manage patients living with a rare disease. Awareness should be raised for effective support mechanisms such as charities and support groups for rare disease patients.How this fits inMany GPs have reported feeling overwhelmed when caring for rare disease patients. Their lack of knowledge forces them to turn to the internet but finding reliable information is often difficult. This study acknowledges the difficult task GPs face when caring for this population and highlights the need for training development, improved communication, and better awareness.

Adults Who Stutter and Their Motivation for Attending Stuttering Support Groups: A Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 142-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela M. Medina ◽  
Naiceli Almeida ◽  
Kayleen Amarante ◽  
Natalie Martinez ◽  
Michele Prezzemolo
Keyword(s):  
Support Groups ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Common Ground ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
Motivating Factors ◽  
Ground Support ◽  
Group Format ◽  
Adults Who Stutter

Purpose While the benefits of participating in stuttering support groups are well known, the factors that motivate adults who stutter (AWS) to continue attending these meetings are not documented. The purpose of this exploratory study is to investigate the narratives of AWS and identify their individual motivations for regularly attending stuttering support groups. Method Seven AWS, ages 23–54 years, who attended more than one stuttering support group meeting participated in a semistructured interview about their stuttering and their experiences participating in a stuttering support group. Thematic analysis procedures were followed to investigate descriptions of motivating factors in each participant's narrative. Result Four major themes emerged from the data including “Mutual Understanding and Common Ground,” “Support Group Format,” “Positive Changes,” and “Give and Take of the Support Group.” The support group served as a place to gain new perspectives by watching others who stutter more severely communicate while also creating a sense of not being “alone.” Opportunities to speak and/or stutter freely as well as the role chapter leaders take in facilitating conversation were motivating factors in terms of the support group format. Positive changes in emotional well-being and socialization were reported. Participants also stated that they attend support groups because the group provides them with an opportunity to help others and learn from others. Conclusion This exploratory study uncovered particular aspects of support groups, including group members and the structure of meetings, that motivate AWS to attend. Findings support the literature in that participants reported benefiting from participating in support groups.

scholarly journals IT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I’M NOT ALONE: GRANDPARENT CAREGIVERS’ DISCUSSIONS OF SOCIAL SUPPORT

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S281-S281
Author(s):  
Jessica Freeman ◽  
Jessica Elton
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Primary Caregiver ◽  
The Other ◽  
Personal Relationships ◽  
Grandparent Caregivers ◽  
Self Worth

Abstract This study investigated skipped-generation “grandfamily” caregivers’ sources of social support. Skipped-generation “grandfamilies” are defined as families in which grandparents co-reside with and take on parental responsibilities for grandchildren (Shakya, et al., 2012). Nearly 2.6 million U.S. grandparents are responsible for at least one grandchild (Generations United, 2017). How grandparent caregivers seek social support is an important topic of research because social support has the potential to influence health, personal relationships, and sense of self-worth (Burleson, 1990, 2003; Sarason & Sarason, 2009; Vangelisti, 2009). Thus, this exploratory study looked at if, why/why not, and how skipped-generation grandparents seek social support. The study also elaborated upon which types of social support grandparent caregivers described receiving. Interviews were conducted with grandparents (N = 21) who identified as primary caregiver for at least one grandchild. Two independent coders analyzed transcripts, applying Braun and Clarke’s (2006) approach to thematic analysis. Results revealed that several grandparent caregivers report a sense of isolation and do not seek out formalized support structures due to lack of time, sense of connection, or interest. On the other hand, others receive social support formally and informally, via a number of channels including support groups (online and in-person), trained professionals, and friends/family. Following Cutrona and Suhr’s (1992) social support categorization, the results indicate that grandparent caregivers most often seek support falling into categories ranging from informational/advice, emotional, tangible, and networking.

Bereavement Support Groups: Timing of Participation and Reasons for Joining

2001 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cliff Picton ◽  
Brian K. Cooper ◽  
Diana Close ◽  
Jean Tobin
Keyword(s):  
Support Groups ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Bereavement Support ◽  
Target Individual

This exploratory study investigated the experiences of a small group of people who had participated in professionally led bereavement support groups, with particular emphasis on perceptions of the appropriate timing for initial involvement with a group and the reasons for joining. The results support the need for timely group-based bereavement support. The proposition that bereavement support in the early weeks of bereavement is too early was voiced by some participants but strongly negated by others who found early support of major value to their well-being. Taking account of the small sample size, qualitative data suggest that the reasons for joining are similar regardless of the length of time since the death, although there is evidence that the need for emotional support is felt most acutely by those without adequate family support and who join within the first three months after the death. Findings suggest that group interventions are helpful to target individual circumstances, needs, and reactions throughout the process of mourning and offer direction for future research.

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