Online social support for obese adults: Exploring the role of forum activity

Online health community for change: Analysis of self-disclosure and social networks of users with depression

Background

A key research question with theoretical and practical implications is to investigate the various conditions by which social network sites (SNS) may either enhance or interfere with mental well-being, given the omnipresence of SNS and their dual effects on well-being.

Method/process

We study SNS’ effects on well-being by accounting for users’ personal (i.e., self-disclosure) and situational (i.e., social networks) attributes, using a mixed design of content analysis and social network analysis.

Result/conclusion

We compare users’ within-person changes in self-disclosure and social networks in two phases (over half a year), drawing on Weibo Depression SuperTalk, an online community for depression, and find: ① Several network attributes strengthen social support, including network connectivity, global efficiency, degree centralization, hubs of communities, and reciprocal interactions. ② Users’ self-disclosure attributes reflect positive changes in mental well-being and increased attachment to the community. ③ Correlations exist between users’ topological and self-disclosure attributes. ④ A Poisson regression model extracts self-disclosure attributes that may affect users’ received social support, including the writing length, number of active days, informal words, adverbs, negative emotion words, biological process words, and first-person singular forms.

Innovation

We combine social network analysis with content analysis, highlighting the need to understand SNS’ effects on well-being by accounting for users’ self-disclosure (content) and communication partners (social networks).

Implication/contribution

Authentic user data helps to avoid recall bias commonly found in self-reported data. A longitudinal within-person analysis of SNS’ effects on well-being is helpful for policymakers in public health intervention, community managers for group organizations, and users in online community engagement.

Online medical consultation in China: Evidence from obesity doctors

Objective

Online medical consultation (OMC) is increasingly used in China, but there have been few in-depth studies of consultation arrangements and fee structures of online doctors in China. This research assessed the consultation arrangements and fee structure of OMC in China by undertaking a case study of obesity doctors from four representative OMC platforms.

Methods

Detailed information, including fees, waiting time and doctor information, was collected from four obesity OMC platforms and analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis.

Results

The obesity OMC platforms in China shared similarities in the use of big data and artificial intelligence (AI) but differed across service access, specific consultation arrangements and fees. Big data search and AI response technologies were used by most platforms to match users with doctors and reduce doctors' pressure. The descriptive statistical analysis showed that the higher the rank of the online doctor, the higher the online fee and the longer the wait time. Through a comparison with offline hospitals, we found online doctors' fees exceeded offline hospital doctors' fees by up to 90%.

Conclusions

OMC platforms can gain competitive advantages over offline medical institutions through the following measures: make fuller use of big data and AI technologies to provide users with longer duration, lower cost and more efficient consultation services; provide better user experience than offline medical institutions; use big data and fee advantages to screen doctors to match users' consultation needs instead of screening by the rank of doctors only; and cooperate with commercial insurance providers to provide innovative health care packages.

Social Support for People with Morbid Obesity in a Bariatric Surgery Programme: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

Background-Morbid obesity (MO) is a chronic metabolic disease affecting physical, psychological and social wellbeing. Bariatric surgery is a reliable method for losing weight in the long term, improving the quality of life, body image and social life of people with MO. Current literature recognises the importance of social support in controlling weight and coping with MO. The objective of this study was to describe and understand experiences related to social support for patients with MO included in a bariatric surgery programme. Methods-A qualitative descriptive study, where data collection included thirty-one interviews with people diagnosed with MO involved in a bariatric surgery programme. Results-Three main themes emerged from the analysis: (1) accepting the problem in order to ask for help, (2) the need for close support and (3) professional support: opposing feelings. Conclusions-A partner, family and friends are the key pillars of social support for those with MO included in a bariatric surgery programme. Healthcare professionals gave formal support; the bariatric surgery team provided information, trust and assurance. Nurses provided healthcare 24 h a day, making them the main formal support for people in the bariatric surgery programme.

The Investigation of Mobile Health Stickiness: The Role of Social Support in a Sustainable Health Approach

In recent years, there has been a phenomenal proliferation of multifunctional fitness apps (MFAs), many of which are deeply ingrained into modern daily life as an aid to trace, manage, and improve users’ health and fitness. With technological advancement, these emerging information technology (IT) artifacts have the potential to facilitate the sustainable development of society and the environment. However, MFAs are facing a critical predicament: how to ensure user stickiness and continuous use. Drawing on the social support theory, this study aims to investigate stickiness as a multi-dimensional construct and to explore the antecedents of continuance usage and continuance purchase intentions in MFAs. The research model is empirically tested with data collected from 328 users of mobile fitness apps. A structural equation modeling analysis reveals both instrumental stickiness and social stickiness exert statistically significant influences on continuance usage intentions and in-app purchase intentions. Appraisal support, information support, and network support are significant antecedents for instrumental stickiness. While emotion support, esteem support, network support, and tangible support are significant antecedents for social stickiness. In addition, two facets of user sustainability—instrumental stickiness and social stickiness—exert different levels of influence on continuance usage and continuance app purchase intensions, respectively. The findings of this study will provide valuable insights for practitioners and policymakers involved in designing sustainable health products and engendering e-health systems.

Participation of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes in Online Support Groups is Correlated to Lower Levels of Diabetes Self-Management

BACKGROUND

Support groups play an important role in diabetes understanding and education. This study aims to find connections between participating in diabetes-related online communities (groups and forums) and the self-reported degree of self-care management and health problems associated with type 1 and 2 diabetes.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted and 307 participants were recruited. Participants were asked about diabetes self-care management (glucose management, healthcare, dietary restrictions, and physical activity) and complications related to the disease, as well as their participation in online social groups and forums (duration, time, and intensity).

RESULTS

Belonging to diabetes-related online support groups (OSGs) was associated with lower scores in healthcare and self-management of diabetes (M = 2.98, SD = 1.07, n = 207, for belonging to OSGs; and M = 4.22, SD = 0.59, n = 97, for not belonging to OSGs). These differences were not statistically significant for type 1 diabetes individuals (M = 4.33, SD = 0.47, n = 28, for belonging to OSGs, and M = 4.29, SD = 0.48, n = 52, for not belonging to OSGs), but were highly significant for type 2 diabetes (T2D) individuals (M = 2.41, SD = 0.68, n = 144, for belonging to OSGs; and M = 4.14, SD = 0.64, n = 61, for not belonging to OSGs). People with both type 1 and 2 diabetes reported to have suffered more complications derived from diabetes when they belonged to an OSG, but greater statistically significant differences were found in type 2 individuals.

CONCLUSION

Patients with T2D who participate in OSGs show a higher correlation with having lower levels of diabetes self-care management as well as health complications related to the disease.

The mediating role of depressive and anxiety symptoms in the association between obesity and problematic social media use in young adults

Background

Obesity has been associated with problematic internet use or internet use characterized by impulsivity, dependence, risk taking or impairment. Despite the unique affordances and growing popularity of social media, few studies have investigated obesity in relation to the problematic use of social media in contrast to general internet use.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between obesity and problematic social media use and to test symptoms of anxiety and depression as potential mediators of this relationship.

Methods

A cross‐sectional online survey was administered to young adults between the ages of 18–25 using the Qualtrics platform. Two mediation models were tested using model 4 of the PROCESS Macro in SPSS.

Results

Participants (n = 4939) were between the ages of 18–25 (M = 21.74, SD = 2.3). Participants were 50.6% female (n = 2496) and 58.1% White (n = 2871). Reporting obesity was positively associated with reporting increased levels of problematic social media use, B = 1.15, SE B = .32, t(1, 4938) = 3.59, p < .001. The indirect effects in each model from obesity to problematic social media use, through both symptoms of anxiety and depression separately, were significant, B = .14, SE B = .05, confidence interval [0.055, .231] and B = .16, SE B = .07, confidence interval [0.018, .317], respectively.

Conclusions

Young adults who present both with obesity and with symptoms of depression or anxiety are more at risk for problematic social media use. These patients may benefit from education on health‐promoting social media use.

Continuum between Relational and Therapeutic Models of Self-help in Mental Health: A Qualitative Approach

Self-help groups are generally described as "group[s] composed of individuals who meet on a regular basis to help one another cope with a life problem" (APA, 2019). Yet, it is challenging to find a univocal definition of self-help groups. Scholars usually use different labels to highlight various features of self-help groups, suggesting the need for further inquiry regarding commonalities and differences. The level of professional involvement is one of the most disputed factors influencing whether a group is considered to belong to the "self-help family." The present qualitative study aimed to understand how professional support in Tuscany, Italy can influence the organizational choices of these groups (place for meetings, admission criteria, timing, etc.), as well as the personal beliefs of members. The study included 17 self-help groups. During 13 focus groups meetings, 92 participants were interviewed; then, we individually interviewed 19 facilitators and six additional key informants from mental health settings. We used a grounded theory approach, and we discussed the emerging models with participants at a public event. Results show the emergence of two theoretical models to define self-help groups, not to be interpreted as mutually exclusive. The "relational model" refers to self-help groups whose main feature is to guarantee the acquisition of specific skills (social comparison skills, active listening, and empathy), while the "therapeutic model" seems to represent a kind of assimilation of other types of interventions.

Making and Receiving Offers of Help on Social Media Following Disaster Predict Posttraumatic Growth but not Posttraumatic Stress

Objectives:

Social media provides an opportunity to engage in social contact and to give and receive help by means of online social networks. Social support following trauma exposure, even in a virtual community, may reduce feelings of helplessness and isolation, and, therefore, reduce posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTS), and increase posttraumatic growth (PTG). The current study aimed to assess whether giving and/or receiving offers of help by means of social media following large community fires predicted PTS and/or PTG.

Methods:

A convenience sample of 212 adults living in communities that were affected by large-scale community fires in Israel (November 2016) completed questionnaires on giving and receiving offers of help by means of social media within 1 mo of the fire (W1), and the PTSD checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and PTG questionnaire (PTGI-SF), 4 mo after the fire (W2).

Results:

Regression analyses showed that, after controlling for age, gender, and distance from fire, offering help by means of social media predicted higher PTG (β = 0.22; t = 3.18; P < 0.01), as did receiving offers of help by means of social media (β = 0.18; t = 2.64; P < 0.01). There were no significant associations between giving and/or receiving offers of help and PTS.

Conclusions:

Connecting people to social media networks may help in promoting posttraumatic growth, although might not impact on posttraumatic symptoms. This is one of the first studies to highlight empirically the advantages of social media in the aftermath of trauma exposure.

Internet use for family carers of people with intellectual disabilities: A literature review and thematic synthesis

Being a family carer can be rewarding but can also lead to mental and physical exhaustion as well as feelings of social exclusion and isolation. Research has shown that the use of the Internet and online forums can provide an immediate place to find information and reassurance and that forum use can be an empathetic place to share experiences and seek emotional support. This article details a systematic literature search of research on carers of people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism using the Internet. A thematic synthesis of the resulting papers identified that online forums give carers a sense of agency by providing a place to go for informational support that may not be elsewhere. Carers also enjoyed the safe community of solidarity and emotional support that online forums provide. An important finding is the lack of published papers in this area with the inclusion of just eight papers.

Fulfilling information needs of patients in online health communities

BACKGROUND

Online health communities (OHCs) experience difficulties in utilising patient reported posts to fulfil the information needs of online patients concerning health related issues.

OBJECTIVES

We aim to propose a comprehensive method that leverages medical domain knowledge to extract useful information from posts to fulfil information needs of online patients.

METHODS

A knowledge representation framework based on authoritative knowledge sources in the medical field for the OHC is proposed. On the basis of the framework, a health related information extraction process for analysing the posts in the OHC is proposed. Then, knowledge support rate (KSR) and effective information rate (EIR) are introduced as metrics to evaluate changes in knowledge extracted from the knowledge sources in terms of fulfilling the information needs of patients in the OHC.

RESULTS

On the basis of a data set with 372 343 posts in an OHC, experimental results indicate that our method effectively extracts relevant knowledge for online patients. Moreover, KSR and EIR are feasible metrics of changes in knowledge in terms of fulfilling the information needs.

CONCLUSIONS

The OHCs effectively fulfil the information needs of patients by utilising authoritative domain knowledge in the medical field. Knowledge based services for online patients facilitate an intelligent OHC in the future.