Computer‐Mediated Support Group Intervention for Parents

• Published in: Journal of Nursing Scholarship
• Main Author: Bragadóttir, Helga
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2008
• Subjects: Iceland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.2007.00203.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1547-5069.2007.00203.x; https://sigmapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1547-5069.2007.00203.x

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a computer‐mediated support group (CMSG) intervention for parents whose children had been diagnosed with cancer. Design and Methods : An evaluative one‐group, before‐and‐after research design. A CMSG, an unstructured listserve group where participants used their E‐mail for communication, was conducted over a 4‐month period. Participation in the CMSG was offered to parents in Iceland whose children had completed cancer treatment in the past 5 years. Outcome measures were done: before the intervention (Time 1), after 2 months of intervention (Time 2) and after 4 months of intervention (Time 3) when the project ended. Measures included: demographic and background variables; health related vulnerability factors of parents: anxiety, depression, somatization, and stress; perceived mutual support; and use of the CMSG. Data were collected from November 2002 to June 2003. Twenty‐one of 58 eligible parents participated in the study, with 71% retention rate for both post‐tests. Findings : Mothers' depression decreased significantly from Time 2 to Time 3 (p<.03). Fathers' anxiety decreased significantly from Time 1 to Time 3 (p<.01). Fathers' stress decreased significantly from Time 2 to Time 3 (p<.02). To some extent, mothers and fathers perceived mutual support from participating in the CMSG. Both mothers and fathers used the CMSG by reading messages. Messages were primarily written by mothers. Conclusions : Study findings support further development of CMSGs for parents whose children have been diagnosed with cancer. Clinical Relevance : Using computer technology for support is particularly useful for dispersed populations and groups that have restrictions on their time. Computer‐mediated support groups have been shown to be a valuable addition to, or substitute for, a traditional face‐to‐face mutual support group and might suit both genders equally.