Abstract
Social support can improve outcomes for people living with HIV (PLWH) and could be provided through online support groups. The Positive Links smartphone app is a multicomponent intervention that allows users to interact in a clinic-affiliated anonymous online support group. We investigated how social support was exchanged in a group of 55 participants over 8 months, using an adaptation of the Social Support Behavior Code. Participant interviews assessed their experiences and perceptions of the app. Of 840 posts analyzed, 115 (14 %) were coded as eliciting social support and 433 (52 %) as providing social support. Messages providing support were predominantly emotional (41 %), followed by network (27 %), esteem (24 %), informational (18 %), and instrumental (2 %) support. Participants perceived connection and support as key benefits of the app. Technical issues and interpersonal barriers limited some participants in fully using the app. Mobile technology offers a useful tool to reach populations with barriers to in-person support and may improve care for PLWH.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-13 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | AIDS and Behavior |
| DOIs | |
| State | Accepted/In press - Oct 21 2016 |
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Keywords
- HIV/AIDS
- Mobile app
- Online support group
- Social support
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Psychology
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Infectious Diseases
Cite this
Social Support in a Virtual Community : Analysis of a Clinic-Affiliated Online Support Group for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS. / Flickinger, Tabor E.; DeBolt, Claire; Waldman, Ava Lena; Reynolds, George; Cohn, Wendy F.; Beach, Mary Catherine; Ingersoll, Karen; Dillingham, Rebecca.
In: AIDS and Behavior, 21.10.2016, p. 1-13.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Social Support in a Virtual Community
T2 - Analysis of a Clinic-Affiliated Online Support Group for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS
AU - Flickinger, Tabor E.
AU - DeBolt, Claire
AU - Waldman, Ava Lena
AU - Reynolds, George
AU - Cohn, Wendy F.
AU - Beach, Mary Catherine
AU - Ingersoll, Karen
AU - Dillingham, Rebecca
PY - 2016/10/21
Y1 - 2016/10/21
N2 - Social support can improve outcomes for people living with HIV (PLWH) and could be provided through online support groups. The Positive Links smartphone app is a multicomponent intervention that allows users to interact in a clinic-affiliated anonymous online support group. We investigated how social support was exchanged in a group of 55 participants over 8 months, using an adaptation of the Social Support Behavior Code. Participant interviews assessed their experiences and perceptions of the app. Of 840 posts analyzed, 115 (14 %) were coded as eliciting social support and 433 (52 %) as providing social support. Messages providing support were predominantly emotional (41 %), followed by network (27 %), esteem (24 %), informational (18 %), and instrumental (2 %) support. Participants perceived connection and support as key benefits of the app. Technical issues and interpersonal barriers limited some participants in fully using the app. Mobile technology offers a useful tool to reach populations with barriers to in-person support and may improve care for PLWH.
AB - Social support can improve outcomes for people living with HIV (PLWH) and could be provided through online support groups. The Positive Links smartphone app is a multicomponent intervention that allows users to interact in a clinic-affiliated anonymous online support group. We investigated how social support was exchanged in a group of 55 participants over 8 months, using an adaptation of the Social Support Behavior Code. Participant interviews assessed their experiences and perceptions of the app. Of 840 posts analyzed, 115 (14 %) were coded as eliciting social support and 433 (52 %) as providing social support. Messages providing support were predominantly emotional (41 %), followed by network (27 %), esteem (24 %), informational (18 %), and instrumental (2 %) support. Participants perceived connection and support as key benefits of the app. Technical issues and interpersonal barriers limited some participants in fully using the app. Mobile technology offers a useful tool to reach populations with barriers to in-person support and may improve care for PLWH.
KW - HIV/AIDS
KW - Mobile app
KW - Online support group
KW - Social support
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84991826559&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84991826559&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10461-016-1587-3
DO - 10.1007/s10461-016-1587-3
M3 - Article
C2 - 27766448
AN - SCOPUS:84991826559
SP - 1
EP - 13
JO - AIDS and Behavior
JF - AIDS and Behavior
SN - 1090-7165
ER -