Exploring the provision of social support within a computer-mediated huntington's disease support network

Coulson, Neil; Aubeeluck, Aimee; Buchanan, Heather; Semper, Heather; Rooney, Emma

Abstract

Objectives: The unique constraints placed upon the Huntington's Disease [HD] carer, and the lack of time and social support identified by this group may make computer-mediated support groups a unique channel of social support for these individuals. The Objective of this study was to examine the nature of supportive communications within a computer-mediated support network for individuals affected by HD Methods: A modified version of Cutrona and Suhr's (1992) social support classification system was employed to content analyse 1314 messages posted during a 3 year study period (1997-2000). Results: Analyses indicated that much of the support was directed at the emotional and informational needs of the network members with esteem support and tangible assistance least frequently offered. In addition, a number of unique features of socially supportive communication were noted. Conclusions: The results of this study have implications for the extent to which social support classification systems can be extended to the computer-mediated environment. Furthermore, the results provide an insight into the types of mediated social support that are most often exchanged by members of a group serving individuals affected by HD. In addition, our data suggest that some forms of support used in this context are relatively unique. The results of this data will be of considerable interest to academics as well as health care professionals.

• Journal Article Type: Meeting Abstract
• Conference Name: 18th Annual Conference of the European Health Psychology Society
• Conference Location: Helsinki, Finland
• Online Publication Date: Aug 22, 2006
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2004
• Deposit Date: Jan 8, 2021
• Journal: Psychology and Health
• Print ISSN: 0887-0446
• Publisher: Routledge
• Volume: 19
• Issue: Issue sup1
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3161624