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The Perceived Availability of Online Social Support: Exploring the Contributions of Illness and Rural Identities in Adults with Chronic Respiratory Illness

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  • Samantha R. Paige

    (STEM Translational Communication Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA)

  • Rachel E. Damiani

    (STEM Translational Communication Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA)

  • Elizabeth Flood-Grady

    (STEM Translational Communication Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
    Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA)

  • Janice L. Krieger

    (STEM Translational Communication Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA)

  • Michael Stellefson

    (Department of Health Education and Promotion, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA)

Abstract

Joining an online social support group may increase perceived membership to a community, but it does not guarantee that the community will be available when it is needed. This is especially relevant for adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), many of whom reside in rural regions and continually negotiate their illness identity. Drawing from social support literature and communication theory of identity, this cross-sectional study explored how COPD illness and geographic identities interact to influence patients’ perceived availability of online social support. In April 2018, 575 adults with a history of respiratory symptoms completed an online survey. Patients with a COPD diagnosis reported greater availability of online support. This was partially mediated by a positive degree of COPD illness identity (i.e., being diagnosed with COPD, a history of tobacco use, severe respiratory symptoms, high disease knowledge, and low income but high education). The relationship between COPD illness identity and the availability of online support was strongest among those with low rural identity; however, at lower levels of COPD illness identity, participants with high rural identity reported the greatest degree of available online support. Results have important implications for tailored education approaches across the COPD care continuum by illness and geographic identities.

Suggested Citation

  • Samantha R. Paige & Rachel E. Damiani & Elizabeth Flood-Grady & Janice L. Krieger & Michael Stellefson, 2019. "The Perceived Availability of Online Social Support: Exploring the Contributions of Illness and Rural Identities in Adults with Chronic Respiratory Illness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2019:i:1:p:242-:d:303045
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Avery Apperson & Michael Stellefson & Samantha R. Paige & Beth H. Chaney & J. Don Chaney & Min Qi Wang & Arjun Mohan, 2019. "Facebook Groups on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Social Media Content Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-17, October.
    2. Tiina-Mari Lyyra & Riitta-Liisa Heikkinen, 2006. "Perceived Social Support and Mortality in Older People," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 61(3), pages 147-152.
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