"You Are By No Means Alone": A Netnographic Study of Self-Care Support in an Online Community for Older Adults. (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lawless, Michael T.; Hunter, Sarah C.; Pinero de Plaza, Maria Alejandra; Archibald, Mandy M.; Kitson, Alison L.
• Is Part Of: Qualitative health research. Volume 32:Number 13(2022)
• Page Start: 1935
• Page End: 1951
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: aged -- chronic illness and disease -- self-care -- self-management -- peer support -- social media -- online community -- netnography -- grounded theory; Health -- Periodicals; Health behavior -- Periodicals; Health -- Research -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Health behavior -- Research -- Methodology -- Periodicals; 610.7205
• DOI: 10.1177/10497323221124979
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1049-7323

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.