Perceptions of the Diabetes Online Community’s Credibility, Social Capital, and Help and Harm: Cross-Sectional Comparison Between Baby Boomers and Younger Adults

Abstract

Background The use of online health communities such as the diabetes online community (DOC) is growing. Individuals who engage in the DOC are able to interact with peers who have the same medical condition. It is not known if older adults are perceiving the DOC differently compared with younger adults. Objective The purpose of this study was to explore and understand how the DOC is perceived in terms of social capital, source credibility, and help and harm. The findings from this study will shed light on how users of different age groups (baby boomers and younger adult counterparts) perceive DOC use. Methods This study represents a subset of participants from a larger study of DOC users. Baby boomers and younger adults with diabetes were recruited from the DOC to participate in a cross-sectional survey. Demographics, electronic health use (reasons to join the DOC, DOC intensity, DOC engagement, internet social capital, and help or harm from the DOC), source credibility, health-related quality of life, and diabetes self-care data were collected. We examined the differences between baby boomer and younger adult responses. Results The participants included baby boomers (N=76) and younger adult counterparts (N=102). Participants scored their diabetes health care team (mean 33.5 [SD 8]) significantly higher than the DOC (mean 32 [SD 6.4]) with regard to competence (P<.05) and trustworthiness (diabetes health care team mean 36.3 [SD 7.1]; DOC mean 33.6 [SD 6.2]; P<.001). High bonding and bridging social capital correlated with high DOC intensity (r=.629; P<.001 and r=.676; P<.001, respectively) and high DOC engagement (r=.474; P<.01 and r=.507; P≤.01, respectively). The greater majority (69.8%) reported the DOC as being helpful, and 1.8% reported that the DOC had caused minor harm. Baby boomers perceived DOC credibility, social capital, help, and harm similarly to their younger adult counterparts. Conclusions Baby boomers are using and perceiving the DOC similarly to younger adults. DOC users find the DOC to be credible; however, they scored their health care team higher with regard to competence and trustworthiness. The DOC is beneficial with low risk and may augment current diabetes care.

Navigating Diabetes Online Communities in Clinical Practice

“…While evidence indicates most DOC users report DOCs are helpful with minimal harm, qualitative findings suggest stigma-based infighting between those with T1D and T2D may impact experiences of DOC users. [54][55][56] Future studies should determine how DOC engagement, both positive and negative experiences, impact diabetes outcomes. Specific to DIY-related DOC use, reported outcomes may reflect participant self-selection, who were highly motivated and meeting diabetes targets prior to DOC and/or DIY adoption.…”

Community-Engaged Research on Social Capital and Older Adults’ Health: Lessons Learned

“…This may be particularly important for older adults in later stages of the life course (Norstrand & Chan 2014;Nyqvist et al 2013) or in social isolation due to declining health and/or mobility (Siette et al 2021;Yiengprugsawan, Welsh & Kendig 2018). Moreover, social capital may help older adults with limited literacy and access to the Internet or social media stay connected to family and friends (Barbosa Neves et al 2018;Litchman & Edelman 2019;Zhu et al 2021).…”

A novel information sharing framework for people living with type-2 diabetes in the context of a group education program

“…Since more than 95% of diabetes care is undertaken by patients themselves outside of medical centres or at home [ 10 , 11 ] the availability of affordable and easily assessable 24/7 OHCs facilitates and promotes personal self-management [ 12 ]. Because people tend to trust others within their network groups, who are similar to themselves rather than organizations, businesses, or government figures and the media [ 13 ], the content shared by peers in OHCs has potential to encourage community members to engage in health-related online activities [ 14 ]. Patients play an active role rather than act as a passive recipient of healthcare services [ 14 ].…”

“…Because people tend to trust others within their network groups, who are similar to themselves rather than organizations, businesses, or government figures and the media [ 13 ], the content shared by peers in OHCs has potential to encourage community members to engage in health-related online activities [ 14 ]. Patients play an active role rather than act as a passive recipient of healthcare services [ 14 ]. This active patient participation leads to co-created value [ 15 ].…”