title: Social and psychological determinants of levels of engagement with an online breast cancer support group: posters, lurkers, and nonusers.
abstract: Despite the benefits and growing availability of online cancer support groups, many breast cancer patients still do not actively participate in them. To better understand cancer patients' online information- and support-seeking behaviors, this study explores how various social and psychological characteristics predict different levels of engagement with an online breast cancer support group: posters, lurkers, and nonusers. The study sample included 231 recently diagnosed breast cancer patients. Data included baseline survey scores of demographic, disease-related, and psychosocial factors and automatically collected discussion group use data over the 4-month intervention. Patterns of engagement with the cancer support group differed according to the patients' characteristics, suggesting that (a) cancer patients have very different orientations to and engagement with an online support group, and (b) deficits in social and psychological resources may not be barriers to participation in a cancer support group, but rather motivators to interact with other patients. The authors discuss the theoretical and practical implications of their findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Telecommunications, Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, and Center for Health and Risk Communication, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA. jeonghan@uga.edu
authors.forename: Jeong Yeob
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Jung-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hye Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Minsun
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.forename: Fiona M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: McTavish
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Gustafson
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012944:Social Support
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