Understanding the networks of those using the internet to support self-management and the role of ties mediated online in supporting long-term condition management. A mixed-methods study

Abstract

Long-term condition self-management often involves a diverse range of work, including the contribution of strong, weak and less visible ties (Rogers et al, 2014; Vassilev et al, 2013). The increased social reach afforded by the internet calls for an exploration of online support within personal networks of those managing a long-term condition in daily life and this thesis examines the role and contribution of online support within personal networks.

Three papers constitute the core of this thesis; the first of these was a qualitative meta-synthesis, which examined the role of illness work online in self-management support with a view to conceptualising the nature of the field. It implicated the relevance of four network processes feeding into self-management in online communities: (1) collective knowledge and identification through lived experience; (2) support, information, and engagement through readily available gifting relationships; (3) sociability that extends beyond illness; and (4) online disinhibition as a facilitator in the negotiation of online relationships.

The second paper, a secondary analysis of the social network survey data of 300 participants, described the individual and network characteristics of the personal communities of people using the internet and the role of offline support, network resources and community participation in using the internet for condition management. This study found that participants using the internet for condition management also received more offline emotional work than those who did not. No associations were found between using the internet for health and other types of offline support.
The third paper, reports on data from qualitative interviews with 30 participants which included ego network mapping as a heuristic device to frame conversations about who was turned to for assistance. The study aimed to understand the role of ties mediated online within an overall personal configuration of illness related support. The findings show that those using the internet to support management were able to extend their network in response to unmet offline needs, leverage offline support with online support, or substitute offline support with online ties.

This thesis purports to make an original contribution to the research literature through A) showing the network processes and engagement shaping online contact and use of resources for condition management and through B) revealing the ability of those able to draw on the internet for condition management to overcome offline support deficits, leverage and avoid existing support through combining on and offline networks, resources and worlds.

More information

Identifiers

ORCID for Christopher Allen: orcid.org/0000-0002-1296-8989

ORCID for Ivaylo Vassilev: orcid.org/0000-0002-2206-8247

Catalogue record

Export record