How Cancer Patients Benefit from Support Networks Offline and Online: Extending the Model of Structural-to-Functional Support

Although social support is an indispensable resource for coping with illness, the connections among the structural properties of one's support network, received social support from offline and online network members, and well-being are not well understood. This study aims to extend the model of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health communication 2021-02, Vol.36 (2), p.198-206
Main Authors: Meng, Jingbo, Rains, Steve A., An, Zheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cancer
Coping
Emotional support
Emotional well being
Emotions
Internet
Networks
Social interactions
Social networks
Social organization
Social support
Structure-function relationships
Support networks
Well being
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Summary:Although social support is an indispensable resource for coping with illness, the connections among the structural properties of one's support network, received social support from offline and online network members, and well-being are not well understood. This study aims to extend the model of structural-to-functional support by distinguishing offline from online support networks and identifying different pathways through which these two networks contribute to patients' emotional well-being. Using data from 386 cancer patients, the results revealed that offline and online support networks were associated with patients' emotional well-being via different types of received support. Specifically, offline support network size was negatively associated with their emotional well-being via informational support received offline. Online support network size was positively associated with their emotional well-being via emotional support received online.
ISSN:1041-0236
1532-7027
DOI:10.1080/10410236.2019.1673947