Online support groups for head and neck cancer and health-related quality of life

Abstract

PurposeTo investigate the association between using online support groups (OSGs) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and the psychosocial factors that may influence this association among individuals with head and neck (H&N) cancer.MethodA sample of 199 persons with H&N cancer using four OSGs completed an online questionnaire using six pre-validated measures for social network, self-efficacy, anxiety and depression, adjustment, empowerment and quality of life. In addition, socio-demographic as well as illness-related and OSGs-related information was collected.ResultsParticipants who had better HRQoL had been using OSGs for a longer time than those who had worse HRQoL (B = 0.07, p < 0.05). Depression and adjustment were the only direct mediators in this association, whereas self-efficacy, anxiety and empowerment appeared as indirect mediators.ConclusionParticipation in OSGs was found to be associated to better HRQoL either directly or indirectly through decreasing depression, anxiety and the negative adjustment behaviours and increasing self-efficacy and empowerment of the users. The study presented a potential model of pathways linking OSG use and HRQoL for those with H&N cancer. However, the model needs to be tested in future longitudinal studies and the associations proposed need to be explored in greater detail.

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“…Studies have previously been conducted that looked at the effect of ISG in cancer patients. These studies found an overall positive effect of an ISG on psychosocial outcomes [55][56][57]. There are, however, substantial differences between the ISG used in these studies and the one used in w-SPIINA.…”

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“…Indeed, a recent study with HNC patients and carers (Al Gtewi, Owens, & Baker, 2017) found evidence to suggest that the use of online support groups may be associated with better quality of life and lower levels of depression and anxiety. HNC patients may feel unable to talk about appearance with health care professionals because it is seen as a 'luxury' or frivolous issue.…”

“…Receiving peer support from people who have experienced similar changes maybe particularly valuable in building a sense of community that can facilitate building of selfesteem, and health care professionals might look to more readily sign post patients to organizations such as Changing Faces (see www.changingfaces.org.uk). Indeed, a recent study with HNC patients and carers (Al Gtewi, Owens, & Baker, 2017) found evidence to suggest that the use of online support groups may be associated with better quality of life and lower levels of depression and anxiety.…”

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“…Previous studies found that peer-to-peer online platforms can be sources of information and support. Peers provide these sources themselves by helping other users or to emotionally support each other [7][8][9][10][11][12]. Online empowering processes can facilitate empowering outcomes outside the online environment such as being better informed, feeling more confident with the physician, and improved acceptance of the disease [1].…”