Investigating the beneficial experiences of online peer support for those affected by alopecia: an interpretative phenomenological analysis using online interviews.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Those affected by alopecia are at risk of experiencing a range of psychosocial consequences. Alopecia UK provides online peer support via facilitated Facebook pages. Online peer support has been found to provide a variety of benefits in other long-term conditions, such as providing information and emotional support.

Objectives

This study sought to gain an experiential account as to how online support provides benefit to people living with alopecia.

Methods

A purposive sample of 12 participants was recruited directly from Alopecia UK's Facebook group. A total of 11 were diagnosed with alopecia and one participant was a family member of someone with alopecia. The qualitative approach of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to guide data collectio

SUBMITTER: Iliffe LL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6899973 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature