Being the infidelity partner: Narratives of lived experiences in an online support group

Taking into account the secretive nature of infidelity experiences and their adverse impact on the involved partners, the aim of the present qualitative study was to examine how individuals—who have been engaged in extradyadic relationships, as “affair partners”—narrate their experiences in an online support group. The study analyzed 60 posts, published over a period of 6 months in an online support community. Three main themes emerged through the thematic analysis conducted. The first theme involved conflicting dimensions of affair partner experience, in which the following sub-themes were identified: 1) living in the shadow of loss, and 2) the prevalence of ambivalence: when opposite impulses coexist. The second theme refers to the centripetal aspects of the relationship and within this section the following sub-themes are defined: 1) the relationship as a supportive environment and 2) between plenitude and dearth: the desire for exclusivity. Finally, the third theme refers to the lessons learned by the affair partners and their generalizing conclusions such experiences. The present study underlines how group participants reconstruct their experiences of extradyadic relationships and how they create new ways of meaning making about them. The findings involve reflexive conclusions about intimate relationships capturing elements of broader cultural narratives, representations and dilemmas of self and relationships, as presented in written transactions in online support groups.

Bonding in Sisterhood: A Qualitative Study of a Virtual, Health-Related Program for Women of Color Amid COVID-19

My Sister’s Keeper is an online education and support group created by women of color in response to disproportionate stresses related to COVID-19 experienced by women of color. The current study aims to examine the Stage 2 evidence that an online support group formed by members of the community may help mediate inequity-related stressors and increase receptiveness to health-related recommendations. To begin to develop this evidence, a thematic analysis of 8 in-depth individual interviews was performed. Resulting themes included: 1) feeling empowered; 2) solidarity in sisterhood (e.g., shared ownership of a virtual community); 3) being focused (on women of color) yet being inclusive; 4) currency of knowledge (e.g., responsibility to share knowledge with others); and 5) preferring virtual accessibility to stay connected. Preliminary data suggest that social support offered through an online platform dedicated to women of color can promote health during the pandemic and possibly beyond.

Pathways to Acceptance in Participants of Advanced Cancer Online Support Groups

Background and Objectives: Individuals with cancer, especially advanced cancer, are faced with numerous difficulties associated with the disease, including an earlier death than expected. Those who are able to confront and accept the hardships associated with the disease in a way that aligns with their beliefs benefit from more positive psychological outcomes compared to those who are aware of their diagnosis but are unable to accept it. To date, there is limited research exploring factors contributing to illness and death acceptance in the context of advanced cancer in group therapy settings. Materials and Methods: The current study used a Directed Content Analysis approach on transcripts of online advanced cancer support groups to investigate if and how Yalom’s existential factors played a role in the emergence of acceptance. Results: The online support group platform, combined with the help of facilitators, offered supportive environments for individuals seeking help with cancer-related distress by helping patients move towards acceptance. Some participants had already begun the process of accepting their diagnosis before joining the group, others developed acceptance during the group process, while a few continued to be distressed. Our analysis revealed the emergence of four themes related to illness acceptance: (1) Facilitator-Initiated Discussion, including sub-themes of Mindfulness, Relaxation and Imagery, Changing Ways of Thinking, and Spirituality; (2) Personal attitudes, including sub-themes of Optimism and Letting Go of Control; (3) Supportive Environment, including the sub-themes of Providing Support to Others and Receiving Support from Others; and (4) Existential Experience, which included sub-themes of Living with the Diagnosis for an Extended Amount of Time, Legacy and Death Preparations, and Appreciating life. Conclusion: With a paradigm shift to online delivery of psychological services, recognizing factors that contribute to acceptance when dealing with advanced cancer may help inform clinical practices. Future studies should explore patient acceptance longitudinally to inform whether it emerges progressively, which has been suggested by Kübler-Ross.

Abstract P103: A PATIENT'S 45 YEAR STORY AFTER 1 3/4 ADRENALECTOMY FOR PRIMARY ALDOSTERONISM DUE TO ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA: IMPROVED CONTOL WITH LO NA DASH DIET.

This report relies on detailed hospital/clinic records from the UK provided by the patient(PK) and his physicians for review and synthesis. In 1976 an asymptomatic, 24 y/o college lad had a routine health screening BP of 245/125. He was admitted. HPI was negative for symptoms or prior history of HBP. FH was - for low K or HBP, + for CAD in men <50. PE: ? increased heart size, Fundi Grade II. Hypokalemic alkalosis was noted, a renal arteriogram was normal. Adrenal (Ad) CT showed a normal L Ad but the R was not visualized, plasma aldosterone (PALDO) was elevated but 24 hr urine ALDO was not. PRA was not available at this time. Ad venography was negative, but the R Ad could not be cannulated. The DX was bilateral disease. Spironolactone (S) was started at 300 mg/d. He was readmitted for surgery 2 months later. BP = 160/100 and K was normal. At surgery, L Ad was said to be 2x normal and it and 3/4 of the R Ad were excised. Oral cortisol coverage was needed for 2 months, then ACTH gel for 2 months. BP was lowered for about 2 months off medications but then returned to 200/110. S was restarted at 400 mg/d with good control but gynecomastia developed. BP control was attempted with S and hydralazine for several years but despite being normal at home was always high in the office. Age 33 noted to have K of 3.2 and muscle “fasciculations”. S was increased. AFIB developed at 51. He converted to NSR with Amiodarone. BP continued to be difficult to control till age 56 when he began to move to the DASH diet recommended by my (CEG) patient online support Group which I have managed now for 19+ years. At 58, he retired from teaching early to care for his wife. At 62, PALDO was 1300 and Renin was 10 on S+DASH diet (ENa 55, EK 139 mM/d). Then 600/1 off S + on high salt intake (ENa 125, EK 100 mM/d). At 60, MRI showed “adenoma R” Ad. Rx with S/enalapril continued with home BPs 122/84. At 65, non-ST MI diagnosed, PTA/stenting was performed. BP has been stable for last 3 years with home BP 120/80 on DASH Diet, Spiro 100/enalapril 20 mg/d. Statin myalgia prevented statins. Lipids and BP have improved on DASH. HBP returns when he deviates from DASH. This case shows that long-term survival after 1 3/4 adrenalectomy for Conn’s (due to hyperplasia) is possible and suggests moving to the DASH diet improves BP control (last 3 year AVE 112/73).

Online Support Groups as a means of Chronic Pain Management for Patients with Genetic Disorders (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Rare diseases with symptoms that include chronic pain present a challenge for patients and providers to manage. Lack of experience with rare diseases may result in clinicians relying on general pain management strategies such as narcotics in circumstances where alternative forms of pain support may be available. OBJECTIVE In this research, we examine how patients extract information, and receive emotional support, through the use of an online support group. We develop a model to describe factors that both enhance and constrain the use of online support groups to engage with patients. METHODS This study uses path analysis to examine survey data related to participation in an online support group from patients managing Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). RESULTS We present a model with excellent goodness of fit indices that exceed a CFI of .995, and an RMSEA value of less than .04. Our model presents nine hypotheses which are all supported. Our analysis of the data shows a significant value of all predicted paths with a p<.001. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that a feeling of belonging, a willingness to share, and comfort with the technology that supports an online community are associated with patients reporting greater levels of information extraction and social support from online support groups. We further find that greater levels of concern regarding privacy and security of information were associated with lower levels of willingness to share and information extraction of patients from online support groups.

Exploring Unmet Needs from an Online Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Group: A Qualitative Study

Background and Objective: Despite the increasing treatment options for patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), unmet needs remain common, especially in low and middle-income countries where resources are limited and MBC patients face many challenges. They often join support groups to cope with their unmet needs. Currently, many MBC patients connect with each other via online support group in view of the constant availability of support and rapid information exchange. The objective of this study is to determine the unmet needs of women with MBC from an online support group. Material and Methods: Messages in an online support group of twenty-two MBC patients over a period of three years from August 2016 till August 2019 were thematically analyzed. Results: Three themes were generated, (1) unmet information needs (2) unmet financial needs (3) unmet support needs. Women needed information on side effects of treatment, new treatment options and availability of clinical trials. Although Malaysia has universal health care coverage, access to treatment remains a major challenge. When treatment was not available in the public hospitals, or waiting lists were too long, women were forced to seek treatment in private hospitals, incurring financial catastrophe. Insufficient private insurance and inadequate social security payments force many women to consider stopping treatment. Women felt that they were not getting support from their clinicians in the public sector, who were quick to stop active treatment and advise palliation. On the other hand, clinicians in the private sector advise expensive treatment beyond the financial capability of the patients. Women with families also face the challenge of managing their family and household in addition to coping with their illness. Conclusions: There is a need for healthcare professionals, policy makers, and civil society to better address the needs of MBC patients through patient-centered, multidisciplinary and multi-organizational collaboration.

Ethnic trauma in migration: FSU-born Israeli women’s narratives in an online support group

This article lays ground for the concept of ethnic trauma for understanding the crisis of migration and its aftermath. The analysis is based on autobiographical stories recently published by the online community of the women who immigrated to Israel from the USSR/FSU as children or adolescents (Generation 1.5) in the early 1990s. Despite its self-selected nature, this story-telling project captures many generic features of the Russian-Israeli (and other) immigrant experiences. These stories form a collective narrative featuring trauma, coping and eventual victory – a discursive plot quite typical for contemporary Israeli therapeutic culture. In the age of identity politics, ethnic trauma becomes a political tool deployed in the struggle for recognition by different immigrant and minority groups. The discourse of trauma, resilience and overcoming/catharsis incorporates immigrants in the local discourse, letting them negotiate their identity and claim full belonging. Thus, ethnic trauma emerges as a political resource to support immigrants’ claims of equal rights and demands for symbolic reparations.