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Opinion Leaders in Online Cancer Support Groups: An Investigation of Their Antecedents and Consequences.
- Source :
- Health Communication; Feb2017, Vol. 32 Issue 2, p142-151, 10p, 2 Charts
- Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- With a focus on the nature and dynamic process of social interactions among breast cancer patients, this study argues that the notion of opinion leaders can be another crucial factor in explaining positive psychosocial health outcomes within computer-mediated social support (CMSS) groups. This study investigates the relationship between opinion leaders and their psychosocial health benefits by considering two overarching questions: (a) Who are the opinion leaders? (b) What role do these opinion leaders play in explaining health outcomes? The data analyzed in this study resulted from merging human-coded content analysis of discussion group messages, action log data analysis of interactive health system usage, and longitudinal survey data. Surveys were administered to 221 women with breast cancer; participants were provided free access to and training for the CMSS groups developed by the Comprehensive Health Support System (CHESS) project. The findings suggest that opinion leaders obtained psychosocial health benefits, such as higher levels of cancer information competence, breast cancer knowledge, and better problem-focused coping strategies. Those who had a higher baseline level of breast cancer knowledge and optimism in coping with challenges in their life were more likely to act as opinion leaders. Implications for research and improving psychosocial interventions for people with health concerns are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
- Subjects :
- SUPPORT groups for cancer patients
BREAST cancer patients
SOCIAL interaction
TREND setters
TELEMATICS
PSYCHOSOCIAL factors
SOCIAL support
PSYCHOLOGICAL adaptation
PSYCHOLOGY
ATTITUDE (Psychology)
SOCIAL history
TWENTY-first century
BODY image
BREAST tumors
CANCER patient psychology
CANCER treatment
COMMUNICATION
CONTENT analysis
STATISTICAL correlation
MENTAL depression
ETHNIC groups
HEALTH
HEALTH behavior
PERSONALITY
PSYCHOLOGICAL tests
QUALITY of life
REGRESSION analysis
RESEARCH funding
STATISTICAL sampling
SCALE analysis (Psychology)
SELF-evaluation
SUPPORT groups
SURVEYS
INFORMATION resources
STATISTICAL reliability
SPECIALTY hospitals
EDUCATIONAL attainment
THEMATIC analysis
RANDOMIZED controlled trials
HEALTH literacy
DESCRIPTIVE statistics
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10410236
- Volume :
- 32
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Health Communication
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 120040466
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2015.1110005