“They are always there for me”: The convergence of social support and information in an online breast cancer community

Social network sites (SNSs) are growing in popularity and social significance. Although researchers have attempted to explain the effect of SNS use on users' psychological well‐being, previous studies have produced inconsistent results. In addition, most previous studies relied on healthy students as participants; other cohorts of SNSs users, in particular people living with serious health conditions, have been neglected. In this study, we carried out semistructured interviews with users of the Ovarian Cancer Australia (OCA) Facebook to assess how and in what ways SNS use impacts their psychological well‐being. A theoretical model was proposed to develop a better understanding of the relationships between SNS use and the psychological well‐being of cancer patients. Analysis of data collected through a subsequent quantitative survey confirmed the theoretical model and empirically revealed the extent to which SNS use impacts the psychological well‐being of cancer patients. Findings showed the use of OCA Facebook enhances social support, enriches the experience of social connectedness, develops social presence and learning and ultimately improves the psychological well‐being of cancer patients.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Model and Hypothesesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of social network site use on the psychological well‐being of cancer patients

Erfani

Abedin

Blount

2016

“…The community gives them a feeling that they are part of a group of people who face similar challenges and endure experiences that are distinct from their healthy family members and friends, who are not always able to understand them. Social connections, a sense of belonging, and the need for empathy have been shown in prior studies to be significant reasons for continuing participation in an online community (Erfani et al, ; Lin & Huang, ) and that social support in its various formats functions as information that positively impacted members' actions and helped them make sense of their illness (Rubenstein, , ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These online spaces shape social relationships via the Internet by means of a series of social interactions that exist only online among people who share a common interest or problem. Two key factors for participating in such communities are seeking or offering experiential information and social support (Erfani, Abedin, & Blount, 2016;Giles & Newbold, 2013;Reinke & Solheim, 2015, Rubenstein, 2015Vayreda & Antaki, 2009;Walther & Boyd, 2002;Zhang, 2016). Hence, the community's significance as a source for varied information and the nature of the social interaction between the members of the community that foster a sense of community shape the notion of these virtual spaces as "weak ties" (Adelman, Parks, & Albrecht, 1987).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Help is where you find it”: The role of weak ties networks as sources of information and support in virtual health communities

Zigron

Bronstein

2018

Virtual health communities allow people with health‐related concerns to engage in supportive communication with individuals coping with similar problems that would be difficult or impossible to form in the face‐to‐face world. This study examined the information interactions in an Israeli virtual health community on Facebook dealing with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease drawing from the “weak ties” network theory as a theoretical framework. Weak ties are social ties or acquaintances that can function as an important source for diversified experiential information and emotional support, reducing stigma and providing a sense of belonging. The study consisted of 23 semistructured interviews with registered members of the group. Findings of this study parallel the four functions of weak ties by allowing chronically ill patients: access to diverse sources of information including experiential information from others suffering from the same illness; the possibility to disclose personal information reducing fear from stigma or rejection; and a sense of belonging.

“…However, much of the previous research on health information behavior is descriptive in nature, focusing on sources selected, frequency of use, searching for themselves or others, and the impact of the Internet on health (Lorence et al., ; Powell et al., ) rather than the evaluation processes associated with selection. In addition, many of the studies that link gender and health information behavior are qualitative studies based on women‐only groups of participants (Genuis, ; Rubenstein, ; Sillence, Briggs, Harris, & Fishwick, ). Accordingly, there is scope for a more analytical approach to understanding online health information evaluation, and for research comparing the health information behavior of men and women.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender as an influencer of online health information‐seeking and evaluation behavior

Rowley

Johnson

Sbaffi

2015

This article contributes to the growing body of research that explores the significance of context in health information behavior. Specifically, through the lens of trust judgments, it demonstrates that gender is a determinant of the information evaluation process. A questionnairebased survey collected data from adults regarding the factors that influence their judgment of the trustworthiness of online health information. Both men and women identified credibility, recommendation, ease of use, and brand as being of importance in their trust judgments. However, women also take into account style, while men eschew this for familiarity. In addition, men appear to be more concerned with the comprehensiveness and accuracy of the information, the ease with which they can access it, and its familiarity, whereas women demonstrate greater interest in cognition, such as the ease with which they can read and understand the information. These gender differences are consistent with the demographic data, which suggest that: women consult more types of sources than men; men are more likely to be searching with respect to a long-standing health complaint; and, women are more likely than men to use tablets in their health information seeking. Recommendations for further research to better inform practice are offered.