title: Social Support in a Virtual Community: Analysis of a Clinic-Affiliated Online Support Group for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS.
abstract: Social support can improve outcomes for people living with HIV (PLWH) and could be provided through online support groups. The Positive Links smartphone app is a multicomponent intervention that allows users to interact in a clinic-affiliated anonymous online support group. We investigated how social support was exchanged in a group of 55 participants over 8 months, using an adaptation of the Social Support Behavior Code. Participant interviews assessed their experiences and perceptions of the app. Of 840 posts analyzed, 115 (14 %) were coded as eliciting social support and 433 (52 %) as providing social support. Messages providing support were predominantly emotional (41 %), followed by network (27 %), esteem (24 %), informational (18 %), and instrumental (2 %) support. Participants perceived connection and support as key benefits of the app. Technical issues and interpersonal barriers limited some participants in fully using the app. Mobile technology offers a useful tool to reach populations with barriers to in-person support and may improve care for PLWH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Tabor E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Flickinger
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: DeBolt
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Ava Lena
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Waldman
authors.affiliation: Health Decision Technologies, Oakland, CA, USA.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Wendy F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Cohn
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Mary Catherine
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Beach
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ingersoll
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA. rd8v@virginia.edu.|UVA Center for Global Health, P.O. Box 801379, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA. rd8v@virginia.edu.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9748-1215
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dillingham
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D000068997:Smartphone; D012944:Social Support
keywords: HIV/AIDS; Mobile app; Online support group; Social support