The Perceived Availability of Online Social Support: Exploring the Contributions of Illness and Rural Identities in Adults with Chronic Respiratory Illness

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Samantha R.,Damiani,Rachel E.,Flood-Grady,Elizabeth,Krieger Paige (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: Joining an online social support group may increase perceived membership to a community,but it does not guarantee that the community will be available when it is needed. This is especiallyrelevant for adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), many of whom reside inrural regions and continually negotiate their illness identity. Drawing from social support literatureand communication theory of identity, this cross-sectional study explored how COPD illness andgeographic identities interact to influence patients" perceived availability of online social support.In April 2018, 575 adults with a history of respiratory symptoms completed an online survey. Patientswith a COPD diagnosis reported greater availability of online support. This was partially mediatedby a positive degree of COPD illness identity (i.e., being diagnosed with COPD, a history of tobaccouse, severe respiratory symptoms, high disease knowledge, and low income but high education).The relationship between COPD illness identity and the availability of online support was strongestamong those with low rural identity; however, at lower levels of COPD illness identity, participantswith high rural identity reported the greatest degree of available online support. Results haveimportant implications for tailored education approaches across the COPD care continuum by illnessand geographic identities.

Additional Information

Publication

Other

Language: English

Date: 2019

Keywords

online social support; social identity; communication theory of identity; rural health; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

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