title: Self-Determination Theory and Computer-Mediated Support: Modeling Effects on Breast Cancer Patient's Quality-of-Life.
abstract: A breast cancer diagnosis typically results in dramatic and negative effects on an individual's quality of life. Web-based interactive support systems such as the Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System (CHESS) offer one avenue for mitigating these negative effects. While evidence supports the efficacy of such systems, evaluations typically fail to provide a true test of the theorized model of effects, treating self-determination theory's constructs of competence, relatedness, and autonomy as outcomes rather than mediators. Using path analysis, this study tests the nature of the proposed mediated relationship between system engagement and quality-of-life indicators utilizing data collected from women (N = 90) who participated in the treatment condition of a CHESS randomized controlled trial. Findings support a latent model, indicating that system effects are mediated through an intertwined measure of autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Prevention and Community Health , The George Washington University.
authors.forename: Shawnika J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hull
authors.affiliation: b Department of Communication , University of Illinois at Chicago.
authors.forename: Eulàlia P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Abril
authors.affiliation: c School of Journalism & Mass Communication and Center for Health Enhancement Systems Studies , University of Wisconsin-Madison.
authors.forename: Dhavan V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: d Department of Communication Arts , University of Wisconsin-Madison.
authors.forename: Mina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: e Department of Human Health Sciences , University of Kentucky.
authors.forename: Ming-Yuan
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Chih
authors.affiliation: f School of Communication , High Point University.
authors.forename: Sojung Claire
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: g Department of Community and Leadership Development , University of Kentucky.
authors.forename: Kang
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Namkoong
authors.affiliation: h Center for Health Enhancement Systems Studies and Department of Industrial Engineering , University of Wisconsin-Madison.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: McTavish
authors.affiliation: h Center for Health Enhancement Systems Studies and Department of Industrial Engineering , University of Wisconsin-Madison.
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Gustafson
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*