title: The healing web.
abstract: We focused on the computer-mediated communication (CMC) of social support in an electronic health discussion group dealing with menopause and midlife transition to show how vital support is to women who are trying to make sense of the change in their lives. We analyzed 2,000 messages, examining the type and frequency of support messages, how support was demonstrated, and how support was recognized by participants. We then provided evidence to show that a community of support had developed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1212, USA. bresnah1@msu.edu
authors.forename: Mary Jiang
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bresnahan
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Murray-Johnson
mesh_terms: D000529:Complementary Therapies; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008593:Menopause / Q000523:psychology*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012944:Social Support