Comparing support to breast cancer patients from online communities and face-to-face support groups

Objective

To compare support for three groups by considering usage patterns with regard to two peer support resources, online communities, and face-to-face support groups, among patients with breast cancer in Japan.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1039 breast cancer patients.

Results

Factor analysis indicated that all groups show the five aspects of support: “Emotional support/Helper therapy,” “Emotional expression,” “Conflict,” “Advice,” and “Insight/Universality.” Within the group using two support resources, the support scores of “Emotional expression” and “Advice” were higher for the online community, and those of “Emotional support/Helper therapy,” and “Insight/Universality” were higher for the face-to-face support group. Among the three groups, the members who received the most peer support were those who used both an online community and a face-to-face support group.

Conclusion

Patients who received the most social support from peers were in the group using both online communities and face-to-face support groups.

Practice implications

Healthcare providers should provide information about peer support through not only traditional face-to-face support groups but also online communities.