title: Standard versus prosocial online support groups for distressed breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Internet can increase access to psychosocial care for breast cancer survivors through online support groups. This study will test a novel prosocial online group that emphasizes both opportunities for getting and giving help. Based on the helper therapy principle, it is hypothesized that the addition of structured helping opportunities and coaching on how to help others online will increase the psychological benefits of a standard online group.
  
  
  METHODS
  A two-armed randomized controlled trial with pretest and posttest. Non-metastatic breast cancer survivors with elevated psychological distress will be randomized to either a standard facilitated online group or to a prosocial facilitated online group, which combines online exchanges of support with structured helping opportunities (blogging, breast cancer outreach) and coaching on how best to give support to others. Validated and reliable measures will be administered to women approximately one month before and after the interventions. Self-esteem, positive affect, and sense of belonging will be tested as potential mediators of the primary outcomes of depressive/anxious symptoms and sense of purpose in life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study will test an innovative approach to maximizing the psychological benefits of cancer online support groups. The theory-based prosocial online support group intervention model is sustainable, because it can be implemented by private non-profit or other organizations, such as cancer centers, which mostly offer face-to-face support groups with limited patient reach.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01396174.
authors.affiliation: Temple University, Department of Public Health, 1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave., 9th Floor Ritter Annex, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA. slepore@temple.edu
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lepore
authors.forename: Joanne S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Buzaglo
authors.forename: Morton A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lieberman
authors.forename: Mitch
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Golant
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Davey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design; D012649:Self Concept; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology