Do Internet‐Based Support Interventions Change Perceptions of Social Support

An Experimental Trial of Approaches for Supporting Diabetes Self‐Management

Bibliographic Data

ID11053380
AuthorsManuel Barrera (0009-0008-1200-9316, Oregon Research Institute Arizona State University USA), Russell E Glasgow (0000-0003-4218-3231, AMC Cancer Research Center USA), H Garth McKay (Oregon Research Institute USA, corresponding author), Shawn M Boles (Oregon Research Institute USA), Edward G Feil (0000-0002-1004-8900, Oregon Research Institute USA)
Year2002
Volume30
Issue5
Pages637-654
Publication date2002-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Community Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0091-0562 • E-ISSN: 1573-2770
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1023/a:1016369114780
PMID12188054
OpenAlexW1593274393
LanguageEN
Citations received39
References cited26

Internet‐based support groups are a rapidly growing segment of mutual aid programs for individuals with chronic illnesses and other challenges. Previous studies have informed us about the content of online exchanges between support group members, but we know little about the ability of these interventions to change participants' perceptions of support. A randomized trial of 160 adult Type 2 diabetes patients provided novice Internet users with computers and Internet access to 1 of 4 conditions: (a) diabetes information only, (b) a personal self‐management coach, (c) a social support intervention, or (d) a personal self‐management coach and the support intervention. After 3 months, individuals in the 2 support conditions reported significant increases in support on a diabetes‐specific support measure and a general support scale. Participants' age was significantly related to change in social support, but intervention effects were still significant after accounting for this relationship. This report is a critical first step in evaluating the long‐term effects of Internet‐based support for diabetes self‐management. The discussion identifies directions for future research

Health psychology · Intervention (counseling) · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Public health · Randomized controlled trial · Self-management · Social support · The Internet · World Wide Web · Applied Psychology · Clinical Psychology · Computer Science · Diabetes Management and Education · Health Literacy and Information Accessibility · Medicine · Mobile Health and mHealth Applications · Nursing · Psychology · Social Psychology