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Communication in health-related online social support groups/communities: a review of research on predictors of participation, applications of social support theory, and health outcomes
[journal article]
Abstract This article reviews literature on online support groups/communities for individuals facing health concerns. Specifically, the article focuses on predictors of online support group/community participation, major theoretical frameworks that have been applied to the study of online support groups/comm... view more
This article reviews literature on online support groups/communities for individuals facing health concerns. Specifically, the article focuses on predictors of online support group/community participation, major theoretical frameworks that have been applied to the study of online support groups/communities, and coping strategies and health outcomes for individuals facing health concerns. Finally, the article discusses the strengths and limitations of existing empirical studies in this area; presents a critique of the relative merits and limitations of a number of theoretical frameworks that have been applied to the study of online support groups/communities for people facing health concerns; and it provides an agenda for future communication research on health-related online support groups/communities.... view less
Keywords
online media; computer-mediated communication; self-help; social support; social network; virtual community; health; communication; coping behavior; health behavior
Classification
Interactive, electronic Media
Impact Research, Recipient Research
Social Psychology
Health Policy
Free Keywords
Social Support Theory; health outcomes
Document language
English
Publication Year
2016
Page/Pages
p. 65-87
Journal
Review of Communication Research, 4 (2016)
DOI
https://doi.org/10.12840/issn.2255-4165.2016.04.01.010
ISSN
2255-4165
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed