1
|
Lawless MT, Hunter SC, Pinero de Plaza MA, Archibald MM, Kitson AL. "You Are By No Means Alone": A Netnographic Study of Self-Care Support in an Online Community for Older Adults. QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH 2022; 32:1935-1951. [PMID: 36062369 DOI: 10.1177/10497323221124979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Online peer-to-peer communities provide environments in which people with similar health concerns can interact and exchange information that can support self-care of long-term conditions. However, current theories have not adequately accounted for how self-care support is enacted in online communities. We conducted an observational netnography to identify and analyze posts in a publicly accessible online community (discussion forum boards) designed for older people. A Straussian grounded theory approach was used to examine 659 posts in health-related message boards. Self-care support involved the construction of three interrelated identities: (1) the support seeking self, in which members described problems and requested information; (2) the empathizing self, in which they described similar experiences and offered support; and (3) the influencing self, in which they provided information or advice. Online communities appear to be an important source of peer support and information and may be a cost-effective approach to supplement standard care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Lawless
- Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, 1065Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
- National Health and Medical Research Council Transdisciplinary Centre of Research Excellence in Frailty Research to Achieve Healthy Ageing, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Sarah C Hunter
- Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, 1065Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Maria Alejandra Pinero de Plaza
- Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, 1065Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
- National Health and Medical Research Council Transdisciplinary Centre of Research Excellence in Frailty Research to Achieve Healthy Ageing, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Mandy M Archibald
- Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, 1065Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
- National Health and Medical Research Council Transdisciplinary Centre of Research Excellence in Frailty Research to Achieve Healthy Ageing, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- College of Nursing, Helen Glass Centre for Nursing, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Alison L Kitson
- Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, 1065Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
- National Health and Medical Research Council Transdisciplinary Centre of Research Excellence in Frailty Research to Achieve Healthy Ageing, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| |
Collapse
|