title: Expressing positive emotions within online support groups by women with breast cancer.
abstract: Based upon Fredrickson's Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions, this study examined the role of expressing positive emotions in online support groups for women with breast cancer. Underserved women with breast cancer in rural Wisconsin and Detroit, Michigan were recruited from 2001 to 2003, and they were given access to online support groups. Both pretest and four-month posttest surveys were conducted with a sample of 231 women. Messages from 96 active participants were analyzed using a computerized text analysis program. Psychological benefits that occurred following the expression of positive emotions were greater among those who expressed more negative emotions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Telecommunication, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA. jeonghan@uga.edu
authors.forename: Jeong Yeob
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Bret R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: Robert P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pingree
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: McTavish
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Gustafson
mesh_terms: D001524:Behavioral Medicine; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D012424:Rural Population; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support