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The advent of online communication is transforming how older adults find social support with a community of peers who cope with similar health issues. This article explores whether participation in virtual health support groups demonstrates a significant interaction with users’ appraisal of their illness experience and predicts self-reappraisal among adults 50 years of age and older (N = 157). Hierarchical multiple regressions demonstrate the significance of the combined effect of virtual health support and its interaction with illness appraisal measures to predict the outcome variable of self-reappraisal. The results indicate that even though appraisal of cancer as a traumatic experience reduces positive self-reappraisal, those who appraised their illness to have been a traumatic experience perceived virtual support to be more influential on their sense of positive change after cancer. In contrast, perceived benefit of virtual support on positive self-appraisal is reduced if illness is appraised as an opportunity for personal growth. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

There has been a growing interest among researchers about the Internet-based social support. However, not much is known about whether electronic support is associated with subjectively reported patient health outcomes. This study examines variation in satisfaction with physical health status among users of self-help groups for patients with cancer (N = 350). The analytical approach of the study differs from previous work in that satisfaction with physical health is modelled not as a predictor, but as an outcome variable. The study tested the hypothesis that perceived ability to cope with cancer mediates the association between electronic support and health satisfaction. Path analyses using ordinary least squares multiple regressions showed that there is an indirect association between electronic support and health satisfaction via perceived ability to cope with cancer. Electronic support increased perception of control over cancer, which in turn led to higher levels of satisfaction with health status. External health locus of control was associated with greater benefits derived from electronic support. This article concludes that the evaluation of physical health status includes not only clinical indicators but also subjective assessment of coping ability. Thus, the cyber social context in which health perceptions are developed has important medical implications for patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a characteristic of modern society, the Internet has led to an information revolution and has become an essential information resource. Most patients use the Internet to gather information about their health problems, treatment options and even to check the credentials of their treating physicians. This paper presents results of a cross-sectional study (n=375) with online cancer patients. Results demonstrated that using the Internet health web sites is a characteristic of individuals with high levels of education and income. Most of the respondents were Caucasian women. Results are indicative of a larger social pattern that gender based digital divide in regards to utilization of health information web sites has narrowed down. However, race, education, and income based digital divide still characterized the sample. Finally, the data showed that older adults still lag behind the younger cohorts of Internet health web site users. This paper concludes with a discussion of some potential strategies that can be taken to reduce the digital divide and increase digital diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internet technology has become an informational resource for most health care consumers. Online information, discussion, and support groups, in the form of message boards, listservs, and chat rooms are emerging as parts of virtual self-health-care network. This paper examines the extent to which participation in online health discussion groups was reported to be helpful in increasing medical knowledge and in enhancing the participatory patient role of health care consumers in interaction with health care service professionals. Data for this study was collected from 350 patients who participated in Internet discussion groups for cancer patients. The findings of the study indicated the important impact of Internet health discussion groups on health care management practices as perceived by health care consumers, including empowerment through knowledge and proactive participation in cancer care management. This research contributes to understanding the patient perspective and assesses the perceived importance of Internet groups by health care consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]