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Journal of Health Psychology
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Communicating about Self and Others within an Online Support Group for Women with Breast Cancer and Subsequent Outcomes

Bret R. Shaw

University of Wisconsin -Madison & Center for Excellence in Cancer Communication Research, Department of Life Sciences Communication, USA, brshaw{at}wisc.edu

Jeong Yeob Han

University of Wisconsin-Madison & Center for Excellence in Cancer Communication Research, USA

Robert P. Hawkins

University of Wisconsin Madison & Center for Excellence in Cancer Communication Research, USA

Fiona M. McTavish

University of Wisconsin Madison & Center for Excellence in Cancer Communication Research, USA

David H. Gustafson

University of Wisconsin Madison & Center for Excellence in Cancer Communication Research, USA

Research suggests communicating too much about one's self within an online support group may amplify breast cancer patients' focus on their own problems and exacerbate negative emotions while focusing on others may have the opposite effects. This study explored how pronoun usage within an online support group was associated with subsequent mental health outcomes. There were 286 patients recruited into the study who filled out the pre-test and 231 completed post-tests four months later with survey measures including breast cancer-related concerns and negative emotions. Messages were analyzed using a program counting first person and relational pronouns. A positive relationship was found between use of first person pronouns and negative emotions.

Key Words: breast cancer • online support groups • pronouns • self-focus • social support

Journal of Health Psychology, Vol. 13, No. 7, 930-939 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1359105308095067
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