The influence of health-specific social network site use on the psychological well-being of cancer-affected people

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore and examine how and in what ways the use of social network sites (SNSs) can improve health outcomes, specifically better psychological well-being, for cancer-affected people. METHODS: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with users of the Ovarian Cancer Australia Facebook page (OCA Facebook), the exemplar SNS used in this study. Twenty-five women affected by ovarian cancer who were users of OCA Facebook were interviewed. A multi-theory perspective was employed to interpret the data. RESULTS: Most of the study participants used OCA Facebook daily. Some users were passive and only observed created content, while other users actively posted content and communicated with other members. Analysis showed that the use of this SNS enhanced social support for users, improved the users' experiences of social connectedness, and helped users learn and develop social presence, which ultimately improved their psychological well-being. DISCUSSION: The strong theoretical underpinning of our research and empirically derived results led to a new understanding of the capacity of SNSs to improve psychological well-being. Our study provides evidence showing how the integration of these tools into existing health services can enhance patients' psychological well-being. This study also contributes to the body of knowledge on the implications of SNS use for improving the psychological well-being of cancer-affected people. CONCLUSION: This research assessed the relationship between the use of SNSs, specifically OCA Facebook, and the psychological well-being of cancer-affected people. The study confirmed that using OCA Facebook can improve psychological well-being by demonstrating the potential value of SNSs as a support service in the healthcare industry

Addiction to Social Network Site Use: An Information Technology Identity Perspective

As the popularity of social network sites (SNSs) has grown substantially over the past years, several negative effects of using SNSs have been experienced by users and reported by Information Systems (IS) researchers. Addiction to SNSs is one of such negative experiences, which has widely been considered from a psychopathology perspective. While increasingly there is more studies in IS on this phenomenon, it is still unclear what characterises addiction to SNSs and what may influence it. This in-progress study adopts an information technology (IT) identity perspective and applies Dual Systems Theory as well as Protection Motivation Theory to provide an initial understanding of what impacts SNS addiction and how to combat it from an IT/SNS identity perspective. To achieve these objectives, we reviewed the literature and proposed a preliminary framework of addiction to SNSs use. We then offer discuss research implications and propose ideas for future studie

Investigating the impacts of social network site use on the psychological well-being of cancer affected people

Thesis by publication.Bibliography: pages 196-224.Chapter 1. Introduction to the thesis -- Chapter 2. The use of social network sites and psychological well-being : a systematic review -- Chapter 3. Effects of Internet-based interventions on the psychological well-being of cancer-affected people : a systematic literature review -- Chapter 4. The influence of health-specific social network site use on the psychological well-being of cancer-affected people -- Chapter 5. The effect of social network site use on the psychological well-being of cancer-affected people -- Chapter 6. Conclusion.Social Network Sites (SNSs) allow users to create online profiles and content, establish connections, share content, develop interactions with their connections and consume content provided by their network. The rapid growth in the number of users of SNSs makes it important to examine their impact on users and their potential to improve psychological well-being. A major limitation of most previous studies was that they relied on healthy students as participants. Little research attention has been paid to the ability of SNSs to promote the psychological well-being of other cohorts of SNS users.People affected by cancer are using SNSs such as Facebook for informational and emotional exchange with people with the same health concern. This research examined the impact of SNSs use on the psychological well-being of the users of the Ovarian Cancer Australia (OCA) Facebook. Using a mixed-methods approach, this research sought to answer the question: In what ways and to what extent does SNS use impact the psychological well-being of cancer-affected people?Semi-structured interviews with users of the OCA Facebook were used to assess how and in what ways SNSs use impacts the psychological well-being of cancer-affected people. A theoretical model was proposed to develop a better understanding of the relationship. Analysis of data collected through a subsequent quantitative survey confirmed the theoretical model and empirically revealed the extent to which SNSs use impacts the psychological well-being of cancer-affected people. Analysis showed that the use of OCA Facebook enhances social support, improves the experience of social connectedness, develops social presence and learning – and ultimately, improves psychological well-being. This study contributes to a better understanding of the ways that SNSs use is associated with psychological well-being among cancer-affected people. Our theoretical model improves understanding of the factors that mediate the positive impact of Facebook use on the psychological well-being of cancer-affected people.Mode of access: World wide web1 online resource (xv 246 pages

SUPPORT GROUPS FOR CANCER CARERS: A QUALITATIVE EVALUATION

A cancer diagnosis takes a great toll on the health of both patients and their carers. Online cancer support groups, including cancer support Facebook groups, have evolved as new sources of support for cancer patients and their carers. However, little is known about how cancer carers make use of such online resources. Most research attention has been paid to Facebook support groups for cancer patients. This research is designed to determine the content of communication in Ovarian Facebook pages, and the impact of those communications on carers of ovarian cancer patients. The study will contribute to knowledge about how cancer patients’ carers use Facebook cancer support groups and the impact of this use on their health and quality of life

Investigating the impact of Facebook use on cancer survivors' psychological well-being

Rapid growth of Social Network Sites (SNSs) use by cancer survivors makes it important to examine whether there is a relationship between the use of these online communities and cancer survivors’ psychological well-being. This article poses the question of how the Facebook use as the most popular SNS, may impact cancer survivors’ psychological well-being. To answer this question a comprehensive literature review of studies conducted in information systems and health disciplines has been undertaken and a theoretical model is proposed. This study is expected to contribute to the existing knowledge base through the development of a new theoretical model which introduces and explains the ways that SNS use may impact cancer survivors’ psychological well-being. It provides important information on the health-related SNSs use and is envisioned to assist health care organizations and cancer survivors to use SNS as an e-health application.7 page(s

Indigenous people living with cancer; developing a mobile health app for improving their psychological well-being

Poor cancer outcomes experienced by Indigenous Australians result from advanced cancer stages at diagnosis, poorer uptake of and adherence to treatments, higher levels of co-morbidity, and poorer access to inclusive and culturally appropriate care compared with non-Indigenous Australians. Socio-economics and social support can mitigate these problems. Technology-based interventions hold considerable promise for enhancing social support. This paper asks what are the key features of a mobile health application designed to improve the social support and consequently psychological well-being of Indigenous Australians living with cancer? To answer this question, a comprehensive literature review of studies conducted in information systems and health disciplines has been undertaken and a theoretical model is proposed. This study contributes to the existing knowledge base through the development of a new theoretical model and the introduction of the features of a mobile health application that may have a positive impact among Indigenous Australian cancer patients’ psychological well-being