Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dsjbd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T10:17:37.372Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Computer-mediated and face-to-face communication in metastatic cancer support groups

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 June 2013

Ruvanee P. Vilhauer
Ruvanee P. Vilhauer*
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, Felician College, Lodi, New Jersey
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Ruvanee P. Vilhauer, Psychology DepartmentFelician College, 262 South Main Street, Lodi, New Jersey 07644. E-mail: vilhauerr@felician.edu
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective:

To compare the experiences of women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in computer-mediated and face-to-face support groups.

Method:

Interviews from 18 women with MBC, who were currently in computer-mediated support groups (CMSGs), were examined using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The CMSGs were in an asynchronous mailing list format; women communicated exclusively via email. All the women were also, or had previously been, in a face-to-face support group (FTFG).

Results:

CMSGs had both advantages and drawbacks, relative to face-to-face groups (FTFGs), for this population. Themes examined included convenience, level of support, intimacy, ease of expression, range of information, and dealing with debilitation and dying. CMSGs may provide a sense of control and a greater level of support. Intimacy may take longer to develop in a CMSG, but women may have more opportunities to get to know each other. CMSGs may be helpful while adjusting to a diagnosis of MBC, because women can receive support without being overwhelmed by physical evidence of disability in others or exposure to discussions about dying before they are ready. However, the absence of nonverbal cues in CMSGs also led to avoidance of topics related to death and dying when women were ready to face them. Agendas for discussion, the presence of a facilitator or more time in CMSGs may attenuate this problem.

Significance of results:

The findings were discussed in light of prevailing research and theories about computer-mediated communication. They have implications for designing CMSGs for this population.

Keywords

Computer-mediated communicationOnline supportBreast cancerMetastaticSupport groupFace-to-face
Type
Original Articles
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 12 , Issue 4 , August 2014 , pp. 287 - 297
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Andersson, G., Bergstrom, J., Hollandare, F., et al. (2005). Internet-based self-help for depression: randomized controlled clinical trial. British Journal of Psychiatry, 187, 456–461.Google Scholar
Andersson, G., Carlbring, P., Holmstrom, A., et al. (2006). Internet-based self-help with therapist feedback and in vivo group exposure for social phobia: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74, 677–686.Google Scholar
Aranda, S., Schofield, P., Weih, L., et al. (2005). Mapping the quality of life and unmet needs of urban women with metastatic breast cancer. European Journal of Cancer Care, 14, 211–222.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bar-Lev, S. (2008). We are here to give you emotional support: Performing emotions in an online HIV/AIDS support group. Qualitative Health Research, 18, 509–521.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bender, J.L., Jimenez-Marroquin, M. & Jadad, A.R. (2011). Seeking support on Facebook: A content analysis of breast cancer groups. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 13: e16.Google Scholar
Boucher, E.M., Hancock, J.T. & Dunham, P.J. (2008). Interpersonal sensitivity in computer-mediated and face-to-face conversations. Media Psychology, 11, 235–258.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chen, A.T. (2011). Exploring online support spaces: Using cluster analysis to examine breast cancer, diabetes and fibromyalgia support groups. Patient Education and Counseling, doi:10.1016/j.pec.2011.08.017.Google Scholar
Coulson, N.S. (2005). Receiving social support online: An analysis of a computer-mediated support group for individuals living with irritable bowel syndrome. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 8, 580–584.Google Scholar
Coulson, N.S. & Knibb, R.C. (2007). Coping with food allergy: Exploring the role of the online support group. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 10, 147–150.Google Scholar
Coulson, N.S., Buchanan, H. & Aubeeluck, A. (2007). Social support in cyberspace: A content analysis of communication within a Huntington's disease online support group. Patient Education & Counseling, 68, 173–178.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cunningham, J.A., van Mierlo, T. & Fournier, R. (2008). An online support group for problem drinkers: AlcoholHelpCenter.net. Patient Education and Counseling, 70, 193–198.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Devineni, T. & Blanchard, E.B. (2005). A randomized controlled trial of an internet-based treatment for chronic headache. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 43, 277–292.Google Scholar
Eichhorn, K. (2008). Soliciting and providing social support over the Internet: An investigation of online eating disorder support groups. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 14, 67–78.Google Scholar
Griffiths, K.M., Calear, A.L. & Banfield, M. (2009). Systematic review on Internet Support Groups (ISGs) and depression (1): Do ISGs reduce depressive symptoms?. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 11, 1–20.Google Scholar
Heim, E., Augustiny, K.F., Schaffner, L., et al. (1993). Coping with breast cancer over time and situation. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 37, 523–542.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Henderson, S. & Gilding, M. (2004). I've Never Clicked this Much with Anyone in My Life: Trust and Hyperpersonal Communication in Online Friendships. New Media Society, 6, 487.Google Scholar
Hoybye, M.T., Johansen, C. & Tjornhoj-Thomsen, T. (2005). Online interaction. Effects of storytelling in an internet breast cancer support group. Psycho-Oncology, 14, 211–220.Google Scholar
Kershaw, T., Northouse, L., Kritpracha, C., et al. (2004). Coping strategies and quality of life in women with advanced breast cancer and their family caregivers. Psychology & Health, 19, 139–155.Google Scholar
Kubler-Ross, E. (1969). On Death and Dying. New York: Springer.Google Scholar
Kubler-Ross, E. (1987). AIDS: The Ultimate Challenge. New York: Macmillan.Google Scholar
Lazarus, R.S. (1999). Stress and Emotion. A New Synthesis. New York: Springer.Google Scholar
Mallen, M.J., Day, S.X. & Green, M.A. (2003). Online versus face-to-face conversations: An examination of relational and discourse variables. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 40, 155–163.Google Scholar
Owen, J.E., Bantum, E. & Golant, M. (2009). Benefits and challenges experienced by professional facilitators of online support groups for cancer survivors. Psycho-Oncology, 18, 144–155.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rains, S.A. & Young, V. (2009). A meta-analysis of research on formal computer-mediated support groups: examining group characteristics and health outcomes. Human Communication Research, 35, 309–336.Google Scholar
Rice, R.E. & Katz, J.E. (2001). The Internet and Health Communication: Experiences and Expectations. Thousand Oaks: Sage.Google Scholar
Rimer, B.K., Lyons, E.J, Ribisl, K.M., et al. (2005). How new subscribers use cancer-related online mailing lists. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 7, e32.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sharf, B.F. (1997). Communicating breast cancer online: Support and empowerment on the Internet. Women & Health, 26, 65–84.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Shaw, B., Hawkins, R.P., McTavish, F., et al. (2006). Effects of insightful disclosure within computer-mediated support groups on women with breast cancer. Health Communication, 19, 133–142.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Smedema, S. & McKenzie, A.R. (2010). The relationship among frequency and type of internet use, perceived social support, and sense of well-being in individuals with visual impairments. Disability and Rehabilitation: An International, Multidisciplinary Journal, 32, 317–325.Google Scholar
Smith, J.A. (1996). Beyond the divide between cognition and discourse: using interpretative phenomenological analysis in health psychology. Psychology & Health, 11, 261–271.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Smith, J.A., Flowers, P. & Osborn, M. (1997). Interpretative phenomenological analysis and the psychology of health and illness. In Yardley, L. (Ed.) Material Discourses of Health and Illness. New York: Routledge.Google Scholar
Smith, J.A., Jarman, M. & Osborn, M. (1999). Doing interpretative phenomenological analysis. In Qualitative Health Psychology: Theories and Methods. London: Sage.Google Scholar
Suler, J. (2004). The online disinhibition effect. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 7, 321–326.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Svensson, H., Brandberg, Y., Einbeig, Z., et al. (2009). Psychological reactions to progression of metastatic breast cancer: An interview study. Cancer Nursing, 32, 55–63.Google Scholar
Vilhauer, R. (2008). A qualitative study of the experiences of women with metastatic breast cancer. Palliative & Supportive Care, 6, 249–258.Google Scholar
Vilhauer, R.P. (2009). Perceived benefits of online support groups for women with metastatic breast cancer. Women & Health, 49, 381–404.Google Scholar
Vilhauer, R.P., McClintock, M.K. & Matthews, A.K. (2010). Online support groups for women with metastatic breast cancer: A feasibility pilot study. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 28, 560–586.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vilhauer, R.P. (2011). ‘Them’ and ‘us’: The experiences of women with metastatic disease in mixed-stage versus stage-specific breast cancer support groups. Psychology & Health, 26, 781–797.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Walther, J.B. (1992). Interpersonal effects in computer-mediated interaction: A relational perspective. Communication Research, 19, 52–90.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
White, M.H. & Dorman, S.M. (2001). Receiving social support online: Implications for health education. Health Education Research, 16, 693–707.Google Scholar
Winefield, H.R. (2006). Support provision and emotional work in an Internet support group for cancer patients. Patient Education and Counseling, 62, 193–197.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Winzelberg, A.J, Classen, C., Alpers, G.W., et al. (2003). Evaluation of an Internet support group for women with primary breast cancer. Cancer, 97, 1164–1173.Google Scholar
Wright, K.B. & Bell, S.B. (2003). Health-related support groups on the Internet: Linking empirical findings to social support and computer-mediated communication theory. Journal of Health Psychology, 8, 39–54.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Yoo, J.H., Jang, S. & Choi, T. (2010). Sociocultural determinants of negative emotions among dementia caregivers in the United States and in Korea: A content analysis of online support groups. Howard Journal of Communications, 21, 1–19.Google Scholar