The effects of expression: how providing emotional support online improves cancer patients' coping strategies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Emotional support has traditionally been conceived as something a breast cancer patient receives. However, this framework may obscure a more complex process, facilitated by the emerging social media environment, which includes the effects of composing and sending messages to others. Accordingly, this study explores the effects of expression and reception of emotional support messages in online groups and the importance of bonding as a mediator influencing the coping strategies of breast cancer patients.

Methods

Data were collected as part of two National Cancer Institute-funded randomized clinical trials. Eligible subjects were within 2 months of diagnosis of primary breast cancer or recurrence. Expression and reception of emotionally supportive messages were trac

SUBMITTER: Namkoong K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3881999 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature