The role of off-topic discussions in online health support groups: insights from a content analysis of an online rectal cancer group.

Abstract

Both off-topic discussions and exchanges of social support are important to the success of online health support groups. Analyzing their relationship could enhance our understanding of the nature of helpful interactions in online cancer support groups and ways promoting their success. A total of 15,284 messages were collected and analyzed from an online support group for rectal cancer. Two coders coded and categorized the messages into 211 threads using directed content analysis and a social support classification system. The relationship between off-topic discussions and social support was explored using the quadratic assignment procedure. There are 91 threads of off-topic discussions, 83 threads of informational support, 22 threads of emotional support, seven threads of tangible support, five threads of network support, and three threads of esteem support. More of the off-topic discussions are associated with more emotional and tangible support. Both off-topic discussions and informational support are mutually influenced by the mediating role of emotional support. In addition, off-topic discussions and network support are mutually influenced by the mediating role of emotional and tangible support, and off-topic discussions and esteem support are mutually influenced by the mediating role of tangible support. Off-topic discussions directly or indirectly promote different types of social support in an online rectal cancer support group.