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Computer‐Mediated Support Group Intervention for Parents
Author(s) -
Bragadóttir Helga
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of nursing scholarship
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.009
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1547-5069
pISSN - 1527-6546
DOI - 10.1111/j.1547-5069.2007.00203.x
Subject(s) - somatization , anxiety , intervention (counseling) , medicine , clinical psychology , depression (economics) , social support , psychology , psychiatry , psychotherapist , economics , macroeconomics
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.