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. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.