Factors Underlying Engagement in Facebook Support Groups of Female Infertility Patients

2020 ◽  
pp. 003329412093470
Author(s):  
Tali Gazit ◽  
Yair Amichai-Hamburger
Keyword(s):  
Family Support ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Openness To Experience ◽  
External Factors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Online Support ◽  
Online Support Groups ◽  
Internal Factors

Women dealing with infertility issues may well undergo a long process of treatments and they are also likely to feel empty, defective, inadequate and worthless. Some of these women join online support groups in order to share their experiences, get information and ease their pain. One important positive phenomenon of the Internet is the advent of online support groups. These are designed to foster well-being and increased social interaction, and to offer 24/7 availability with no geographical restrictions. This study, comprising 191 female participants who answered an online survey, focused on closed Facebook support groups, the members of which were women undergoing treatments for infertility. The study examined to what extent the degree of engagement by these women in online support groups could be predicted by external factors (family status, social and family support, the importance of the group and the duration of membership) and internal factors (extroversion, openness to experience, subjective happiness and loneliness). Findings show that higher levels of engagement in such Facebook support groups are predicted by the external factors, including having a child, longer duration of membership in the group, family support and the strongest predictor, perception of the group as important. Findings also show that higher levels of engagement in these groups are predicted by internal factors extroversion and openness to experience, as was found in previous studies of other populations. Results and future research are discussed.

Do online support groups help individuals affected by HIV/AIDS?: A systematic review of the quantitative and qualitative literature (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil Stewart Coulson ◽  
Heather Buchanan
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Qualitative Studies ◽  
Online Support ◽  
Illness Management ◽  
Online Support Groups ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hiv Aids

BACKGROUND Online support groups provide opportunities for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS to seek information, advice and support from peers. However, if and how engagement with online support groups helps individuals affected by HIV/AIDS remains unclear. OBJECTIVE To systematically review the evidence (both quantitative and qualitative) around the benefits of online support groups for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS in terms of psychosocial wellbeing and/or illness management. In addition, the review sought to identify and describe any negative aspects experienced by individuals as well as the types of social support exchanged within such online groups. METHODS A systematic review of English language articles was undertaken using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Databases searched included Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, CENTRAL (Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials) and SCOPUS. Key findings were critically synthesized using a narrative and thematic approach. RESULTS 22 papers met the inclusion criteria from an initial pool of 4501 abstracts. These papers included 5 quantitative, 2 mixed-methods and 15 qualitative studies published between 2007 and 2019. CONCLUSIONS Some cross-sectional and qualitative studies suggest there may be an association between engagement and a range of psychosocial processes and outcomes. However, studies with robust methodological designs are needed to definitively establish whether HIV/AIDS-related online support groups improve psychosocial well-being and/or illness management. Qualitative data highlights users can have negative experiences in terms of interpersonal conflict and the challenges of encountering negative content. In addition, there may be aspects of the internet-mediated nature of the online communication which compromise member experiences. Finally, HIV/AIDS-related online support groups are venues through which individuals can solicit support, most commonly informational or emotional support. Future research should seek to examine the impact of engagement with online support groups over time including appropriate control or comparison groups. CLINICALTRIAL N/A

scholarly journals Participation of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes in Online Support Groups is Correlated to Lower Levels of Diabetes Self-Management

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-126
Author(s):  
Noelia Herrero ◽  
Frederic Guerrero-Solé ◽  
Lluís Mas-Manchón
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Care Management ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Online Support ◽  
Online Support Groups

Background: Support groups play an important role in diabetes understanding and education. This study aims to find connections between participating in diabetes-related online communities (groups and forums) and the self-reported degree of self-care management and health problems associated with type 1 and 2 diabetes. Methods: A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted and 307 participants were recruited. Participants were asked about diabetes self-care management (glucose management, healthcare, dietary restrictions, and physical activity) and complications related to the disease, as well as their participation in online social groups and forums (duration, time, and intensity). Results: Belonging to diabetes-related online support groups (OSGs) was associated with lower scores in healthcare and self-management of diabetes ( M = 2.98, SD = 1.07, n = 207, for belonging to OSGs; and M = 4.22, SD = 0.59, n = 97, for not belonging to OSGs). These differences were not statistically significant for type 1 diabetes individuals ( M = 4.33, SD = 0.47, n = 28, for belonging to OSGs, and M = 4.29, SD = 0.48, n = 52, for not belonging to OSGs), but were highly significant for type 2 diabetes (T2D) individuals ( M = 2.41, SD = 0.68, n = 144, for belonging to OSGs; and M = 4.14, SD = 0.64, n = 61, for not belonging to OSGs). People with both type 1 and 2 diabetes reported to have suffered more complications derived from diabetes when they belonged to an OSG, but greater statistically significant differences were found in type 2 individuals. Conclusion: Patients with T2D who participate in OSGs show a higher correlation with having lower levels of diabetes self-care management as well as health complications related to the disease.

scholarly journals The Effects of Situational Peers and Support Groups on the Well-Being of Grandmothers Raising Grandchildren

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 408-409
Author(s):  
Alexandra Jeanblanc ◽  
Carol Musil ◽  
Christopher Burant ◽  
McKenzie Wallace
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Online Support ◽  
Online Support Groups ◽  
Multigenerational Households ◽  
Grandmothers Raising Grandchildren ◽  
Need For Support ◽  
Group Engagement

Abstract Grandmothers raising their grandchildren face not only the demands of parenting, but the added burden of parenting a child they did not expect to raise. Similarly, grandmothers living in multigenerational households need to balance expectations and household/caregiving tasks across the generations. As part of a nationwide RCT designed to lessen the stress associated with the caregiving burden of raising grandchildren, we asked 342 grandmothers raising their grandchildren about their engagement with support groups and whether their social network included other grandfamilies. Here, we examine the effect of situational peers and support group engagement on grandmother’s stress, reward, social support, mental health, mindfulness, and resourcefulness. Of our sample, 53.8% (N=184) reported belonging to a support group. The majority of participants (138) belonged to online support groups on Facebook, 41 reported participating in in-person support groups, 3 belonged to both in-person and online support groups, and 8 did not respond. When asked whether and how well our participants knew other families like theirs, 31% (106) said they did not know any, 40.6% (139) knew of at least one, but not well, and 28.4% (97) said they had at least one friend with a family like her own. Knowing other families like their own affected self-appraised stress, but no other outcomes. Grandmothers participating in support groups had lower mindfulness scores, higher stress, and worse mental health scores than grandmothers not participating in support groups, possibly reflecting the higher need for support among those participants.

scholarly journals Online support for all: Examining the utilization and perceived benefits of an online harm reduction, abstinence, and moderation focused support group for alcohol and other drugs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank J Schwebel ◽  
Daniel G. Orban
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Social Network Sites ◽  
Online Support ◽  
Online Support Groups ◽  
Health History ◽  
Mental Health History

Objective: Online support groups and social network sites for individuals with substance use disorders are regularly used yet little is known about how individuals engage with them. This study sought to extend research on online support groups/social network sites by examining engagement with an online Harm reduction, Abstinence, and Moderation Support (HAMS) group.Method: HAMS members were invited to complete a brief online survey about their HAMS engagement (n=343). The average age of participants was 41.55 (SD=12.61) and most identified as White (93.9%), female (78.8%), and cisgender women (70.1%). Participants completed measures of HAMS participation, substance use goal, quantity/frequency of substance use, mental health history, negative substance use-related consequences, and quality of life.Results: A majority of participants (67.1%) reported a substance use moderation goal and alcohol was the most commonly reported substance used (91.6%). Participants most frequently reported visiting HAMS daily (39.2%) and visits typically lasted up to 30 minutes (86.1%). The most common engagement methods were reading a Facebook group post (89.5%) and posting in the Facebook group (72.9%). Most participants somewhat or strongly agreed HAMS helped them feel better about changing their use of drugs/alcohol (87.1%, M=4.41/5, SD=0.81), increased their motivation for changing their use of drugs/alcohol (89.2%, M=4.44/5, SD=0.77), and increased their self-efficacy in reaching/maintaining the substance use goals (85.1%, M=4.29/5, SD=1.05).Conclusions: Online support for harm reduction, abstinence, and moderation goals may be beneficial for individuals who seek to stop/limit their substance use. Online support is well-suited for individuals seeking quick, inexpensive access to support.

Patients with breast cancer feel empowered by their participation in online support groups

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 19544-19544
Author(s):  
W. M. Smit ◽  
C. F. van Uden-Kraan ◽  
C. H. Drossaert ◽  
E. R. Seydel ◽  
E. Taal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Online Support ◽  
Online Support Groups ◽  
Online Support Group ◽  
Modern Health Care ◽  
Health Care Consumer ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Consumer Model

19544 Background: People often join support groups when they find themselves in stressful circumstances such as serious health conditions. With the increase in the availability and popularity of the Internet, the opportunity to join support groups online has arisen. Ever since the rise of online support groups, much is expected of the potential empowering effect of taking part in these groups for patients. However, thus far, there is no direct evidence. Therefore the purpose of this study was to explore if and how people with breast cancer feel empowered by their participation in online support groups and which processes that take place in online support groups contribute to these outcomes. Methods: We have sent a posting with a link to an online survey to 7 online support groups for patients with breast cancer. In total 214 participants responded to the request to fill in the survey. Results: The majority of the respondents were women (n=211). The mean age of the respondents was 46 years (SD 8.9 years). The respondents were diagnosed 3 years ago on average, with a range of 0 to 15 years. The respondents felt empowered in several ways by their participation. First of all, most respondents (74%) felt better informed. They indicated that as a result of their participation, they had received adequate information to deal with their disease (60%). Additionally, most participants felt more confident in the relation with their physician. The participants indicated that they knew better which questions to ask their physician (69%) and that they felt better prepared for a consult with their physician (61%). For some of the respondents, participation in an online support group enabled easier acceptation of the disease (48%) and helped them to “open up” about their disease (49%). The main processes that contributed to these outcomes were: exchanging information, comparing with other participants and encountering social support. Conclusions: This study suggests that participation in online support groups can make a valuable contribution to the emergence of empowered patients, who set their own health agendas and who take control of their own health status, as is deemed necessary in the current transformation towards a modern health care consumer model. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

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.

Online support groups for women with breast cancer

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eilis McCaughan ◽  
Kader Parahoo ◽  
Irene Hueter ◽  
Laurel Northouse
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Online Support ◽  
Online Support Groups
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