OBJECTIVE: To compare support for three groups by considering usage patterns with regard to two peer support resources, online communities, and face-to-face support groups, among patients with breast cancer in Japan. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1039 breast cancer patients. RESULTS: Factor analysis indicated that all groups show the five aspects of support: "Emotional support/Helper therapy," "Emotional expression," "Conflict," "Advice," and "Insight/Universality." Within the group using two support resources, the support scores of "Emotional expression" and "Advice" were higher for the online community, and those of "Emotional support/Helper therapy," and "Insight/Universality" were higher for the face-to-face support group. Among the three groups, the members who received the most peer support were those who used both an online community and a face-to-face support group. CONCLUSION: Patients who received the most social support from peers were in the group using both online communities and face-to-face support groups. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Healthcare providers should provide information about peer support through not only traditional face-to-face support groups but also online communities.
OBJECTIVE: To compare support for three groups by considering usage patterns with regard to two peer support resources, online communities, and face-to-face support groups, among patients with breast cancer in Japan. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1039 breast cancerpatients. RESULTS: Factor analysis indicated that all groups show the five aspects of support: "Emotional support/Helper therapy," "Emotional expression," "Conflict," "Advice," and "Insight/Universality." Within the group using two support resources, the support scores of "Emotional expression" and "Advice" were higher for the online community, and those of "Emotional support/Helper therapy," and "Insight/Universality" were higher for the face-to-face support group. Among the three groups, the members who received the most peer support were those who used both an online community and a face-to-face support group. CONCLUSION:Patients who received the most social support from peers were in the group using both online communities and face-to-face support groups. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Healthcare providers should provide information about peer support through not only traditional face-to-face support groups but also online communities.
Authors: Douglas J Rupert; Jennifer Gard Read; Jacqueline B Amoozegar; Rebecca R Moultrie; Olivia M Taylor; Amie C O'Donoghue; Helen W Sullivan Journal: J Health Commun Date: 2016-11-02
Authors: Johannes Huber; Tanja Muck; Philipp Maatz; Bastian Keck; Paul Enders; Imad Maatouk; Andreas Ihrig Journal: J Cancer Surviv Date: 2017-08-31 Impact factor: 4.442