Online social support for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: a content analysis of support exchanges within a newly launched discussion forum

Smedley, Richard M.; Coulson, Neil S.; Gavin, Jeff; Rodham, Karen; Watts, Leon

Abstract

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is a debilitating illness characterised by unexplained pain that is disproportionate to any initiating event. Individuals living with CRPS can become socially isolated, and online support communities may provide them with an increased support network through which they can access support at any time. However, most research into online social support has focussed on established communities rather than newly launched communities, and little is known about online support for CRPS. This study explores the experiences of members in a newly launched CRPS discussion forum, to examine the support content of messages and how support processes become established. Content analysis was used to code messages using the Social Support Behavior Code.
Emotional support was the most common, followed by informational, esteem and network support, with tangible aid occurring only rarely. Support processes started almost immediately when the group was launched, similar to what happens in a face-to-face support group where strangers meet for the first time and immediately support one another. The results support Optimal Matching Theory, and indicate that online support may have an important role to play in the CRPS ‘four pillars of intervention’

Citation

Smedley, R. M., Coulson, N. S., Gavin, J., Rodham, K., & Watts, L. (2015). Online social support for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: a content analysis of support exchanges within a newly launched discussion forum. Computers in Human Behavior, 51(A), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.04.040

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 19, 2015
• Online Publication Date: May 17, 2015
• Publication Date: Oct 31, 2015
• Deposit Date: Nov 17, 2016
• Journal: Computers in Human Behavior
• Print ISSN: 0747-5632
• Electronic ISSN: 1873-7692
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 51
• Issue: A
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.04.040
• Keywords: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome; Online support groups; Patient interaction; Content analysis; Social Support Behavior Code; Optimal Matching Theory
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/762842
• Publisher URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563215003350
• Contract Date: Nov 16, 2016