A qualitative study investigating users’ perspective of bariatric surgery online health communities in facilitating social support
ABSTRACTObjective To fulfil a need for greater access to social support postoperatively, adults who have undergone bariatric surgery have turned to Online Health Communities (OHCs). Prior research has signposted the potential “functional” dimensions of social support found via OHCs. However, the “st...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Australian Journal of Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/00049530.2023.2292022 |
| _version_ | 1797387933607526400 |
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| author | Charlene Wright Danielle Dawson Joy Parkinson Kyra Hamilton |
| author_facet | Charlene Wright Danielle Dawson Joy Parkinson Kyra Hamilton |
| author_sort | Charlene Wright |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACTObjective To fulfil a need for greater access to social support postoperatively, adults who have undergone bariatric surgery have turned to Online Health Communities (OHCs). Prior research has signposted the potential “functional” dimensions of social support found via OHCs. However, the “structural” dimensions experienced on OHC have yet to be explored. This study aimed to explore users’ experience of the “functional” and “structural” dimensions of social support facilitated within bariatric surgery OHCs.Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 adults who were waitlisted or had undergone bariatric surgery. Data were analysed with both deductive and inductive methodologies utilised. Deductive analysis was mapped to social support theories thus themes reflect “informational”, “emotional”, “belonging”, and “tangible” social support.Results There were five subthemes generated under the theme of “informational” social support, two under “emotional” and “tangible” social support, and one under “belonging” social support. Participants believed that the “informal” structural support in their life was insufficient and a contributing factor to turning to OHCs. For some participants, “formal” structural social support was facilitated via OHCs; however, most were seeking different types of support than what they can receive from their medical support team. The inductive analysis generated two themes including “access to reliable social support 24/7” and “satisfied with the support available on OHCs”, highlighting key advantages and value of OHCs.Conclusions There seems to be value for OHCs in bariatric surgery for social support. However, fundamentally the shared experiences and “belonging” social support seem to be a linchpin for the success of OHCs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T22:32:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7359de92e1d446d8ab8ec3ce5e119207 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0004-9530 1742-9536 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T22:32:22Z |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Australian Journal of Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-7359de92e1d446d8ab8ec3ce5e1192072023-12-17T23:00:10ZengTaylor & Francis GroupAustralian Journal of Psychology0004-95301742-95362024-12-0176110.1080/00049530.2023.2292022A qualitative study investigating users’ perspective of bariatric surgery online health communities in facilitating social supportCharlene Wright0Danielle Dawson1Joy Parkinson2Kyra Hamilton3School of Applied Psychology and Menzies Health Institute, Griffith University, Mount Gravatt, QLD, AustraliaSchool of Applied Psychology and Menzies Health Institute, Griffith University, Mount Gravatt, QLD, AustraliaFaculty of Law and Business, Australian Catholic University, Banyo, QLD, AustraliaSchool of Applied Psychology and Menzies Health Institute, Griffith University, Mount Gravatt, QLD, AustraliaABSTRACTObjective To fulfil a need for greater access to social support postoperatively, adults who have undergone bariatric surgery have turned to Online Health Communities (OHCs). Prior research has signposted the potential “functional” dimensions of social support found via OHCs. However, the “structural” dimensions experienced on OHC have yet to be explored. This study aimed to explore users’ experience of the “functional” and “structural” dimensions of social support facilitated within bariatric surgery OHCs.Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 adults who were waitlisted or had undergone bariatric surgery. Data were analysed with both deductive and inductive methodologies utilised. Deductive analysis was mapped to social support theories thus themes reflect “informational”, “emotional”, “belonging”, and “tangible” social support.Results There were five subthemes generated under the theme of “informational” social support, two under “emotional” and “tangible” social support, and one under “belonging” social support. Participants believed that the “informal” structural support in their life was insufficient and a contributing factor to turning to OHCs. For some participants, “formal” structural social support was facilitated via OHCs; however, most were seeking different types of support than what they can receive from their medical support team. The inductive analysis generated two themes including “access to reliable social support 24/7” and “satisfied with the support available on OHCs”, highlighting key advantages and value of OHCs.Conclusions There seems to be value for OHCs in bariatric surgery for social support. However, fundamentally the shared experiences and “belonging” social support seem to be a linchpin for the success of OHCs.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/00049530.2023.2292022Bariatric surgeryonline health communitiesonline support groupsqualitative researchsocial mediasocial support |
| spellingShingle | Charlene Wright Danielle Dawson Joy Parkinson Kyra Hamilton A qualitative study investigating users’ perspective of bariatric surgery online health communities in facilitating social support Australian Journal of Psychology Bariatric surgery online health communities online support groups qualitative research social media social support |
| title | A qualitative study investigating users’ perspective of bariatric surgery online health communities in facilitating social support |
| title_full | A qualitative study investigating users’ perspective of bariatric surgery online health communities in facilitating social support |
| title_fullStr | A qualitative study investigating users’ perspective of bariatric surgery online health communities in facilitating social support |
| title_full_unstemmed | A qualitative study investigating users’ perspective of bariatric surgery online health communities in facilitating social support |
| title_short | A qualitative study investigating users’ perspective of bariatric surgery online health communities in facilitating social support |
| title_sort | qualitative study investigating users perspective of bariatric surgery online health communities in facilitating social support |
| topic | Bariatric surgery online health communities online support groups qualitative research social media social support |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/00049530.2023.2292022 |
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