Abstract

Introduction: Little is known about how group cohesion develops in online support group communities. Previous research suggests that message content, selfdisclosure, and emotional expression may be central to this process. The purpose of this study was to identify linguistic and qualitative characteristics of participants.' Messages that predict how other participants respond in an asynchronous discussion board for cancer-related distress. Method: 525 discussion board messages posted by 116 participants in the healthspace.net trial were collected. Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (2001) was used to identify linguistic markers of emotional expression and pronoun use. Message topics were identified using qualitative analysis. Logistic regression and chi-square analyses were used to evaluate whether linguistic characteristics and message topics predicted receiving a response from other survivors in the online group. Results: Messages were more likely to receive a reply if they had higher word count, OR=1.30, p=.001, or fewer second person pronouns, OR=.923, p=.040. Messages were less likely to receive a reply if they evidenced high levels of positive emotion, OR=.94, p=.03. The most common message topics related to self-disclosure (51%), the group (38.5%), medical experiences (30.9%,), and experiences related to the website (30.1%). Several types of message topics were associated with greater likelihood of a reply: self-disclosure (p<.001), medical experiences (p=.01), relationship issues (p=.05), and introductory posts (p<.01). Implications: Informing participants how to introduce themselves to the group (i.e., detailed and self-focused messages discussing personal issues such as the effects of illness on life and relationships) could promote cohesion and enhance overall intervention engagement.

LLU Discipline

Clinical Psychology

Department

Psychology

School

School of Behavioral Health

First Advisor

Owen, Jason

Second Advisor

Herbozo, Sylvia

Third Advisor

Vermeersch, David

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

January 2013

Date (Title Page)

3-1-2013

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Online Health Resources; Online Support; Group Processes; Cancer; Neoplasms; Adaptation, Psychological; Social networks

Subject - Local

Online cancer support groups; Peer responsiveness; Cancer adjustment and coping; Group cohesion

Type

Dissertation

Page Count

72 p.

Digital Format

Application/PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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