Mental Health Pathways in Internet Support Groups
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Anxiety, Anxiety, Depression |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - Any |
| Updated: | 4/17/2018 |
| Start Date: | June 2016 |
| End Date: | April 2019 |
| Contact: | Robert E Kraut, PhD |
| Email: | robert.kraut@cmu.edu |
| Phone: | 412 268-7694 |
Internet Support Groups: Identifying and Improving Pathways for Mental Health
People facing serious health threats increasingly use Internet health support communities to
obtain informational support, emotional support and other resources. This study introduces
software algorithms similar to those used by social media sites to put people in touch with
helpful information and social interactions. Participants from the American Cancer Society's
Cancer Support Network will have access to this online support group using the default
interface that orders content by broad content category and date or with a new interface that
highlights communication content and people that match users' interests and needs.
obtain informational support, emotional support and other resources. This study introduces
software algorithms similar to those used by social media sites to put people in touch with
helpful information and social interactions. Participants from the American Cancer Society's
Cancer Support Network will have access to this online support group using the default
interface that orders content by broad content category and date or with a new interface that
highlights communication content and people that match users' interests and needs.
Internet support groups (ISGs) are online communities where people come together to exchange
information, emotional support and other resources. They are an important resource for
patients grappling with serious medical conditions. Although participation in health-related
ISGs has been associated with significant reductions in participant-reported depression,
anxiety and other indicators of psychological distress, many ISG members leave too soon to
benefit. In a parallel study, we are using state-of-the art machine learning and automated
language analysis techniques to assess the types of interactions that keep people
participating in these groups and that lead to improved psychosocial well-being and health
quality of life and how these interactions develop. The clinical trial described here uses
these technologies and insights from our empirical research to build, deploy, and evaluate
interventions that improve the interactions in Internet health support groups.
We will develop and pilot-test interventions to encourage effective communication processes
identified in our empirical research. Participants from the American Cancer Society's Cancer
Support Network will access this support group using either the default interface that orders
content by disease diagnosis and date or with a new interface that sometimes highlights
communication content and people who match their interests and needs. We will test whether
mood, satisfaction with interactions and engagement in the group increase following
interventions that (a) increase participants' receipt of individualized support from others;
(b) provide participants with opportunities to offer support to others; (c) facilitate
participants' expression of emotions; and (d) help participants form relationships with
compatible peers. In a series of small, randomized experiments, we will examine how these
interventions affect participants' communication behaviors as well as short-term engagement
and satisfaction with their online interactions.
information, emotional support and other resources. They are an important resource for
patients grappling with serious medical conditions. Although participation in health-related
ISGs has been associated with significant reductions in participant-reported depression,
anxiety and other indicators of psychological distress, many ISG members leave too soon to
benefit. In a parallel study, we are using state-of-the art machine learning and automated
language analysis techniques to assess the types of interactions that keep people
participating in these groups and that lead to improved psychosocial well-being and health
quality of life and how these interactions develop. The clinical trial described here uses
these technologies and insights from our empirical research to build, deploy, and evaluate
interventions that improve the interactions in Internet health support groups.
We will develop and pilot-test interventions to encourage effective communication processes
identified in our empirical research. Participants from the American Cancer Society's Cancer
Support Network will access this support group using either the default interface that orders
content by disease diagnosis and date or with a new interface that sometimes highlights
communication content and people who match their interests and needs. We will test whether
mood, satisfaction with interactions and engagement in the group increase following
interventions that (a) increase participants' receipt of individualized support from others;
(b) provide participants with opportunities to offer support to others; (c) facilitate
participants' expression of emotions; and (d) help participants form relationships with
compatible peers. In a series of small, randomized experiments, we will examine how these
interventions affect participants' communication behaviors as well as short-term engagement
and satisfaction with their online interactions.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Is an existing or new registrant to the American Cancer Society's Cancer Support
Network.
Exclusion Criteria:
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