Communication in health-related online social support groups/communities: a review of research on predictors of participation, applications of social support theory, and health outcomes

• Overview of growth and impact of online support groups/communities • Predictors of online support group/community participation • Key theoretical frameworks applied to online support groups/communities • Critique of online support group theory and empirical studies • Overview and critique of online support groups/communities and health outcomes • Agenda for future research This article reviews literature on online support groups/communities for individuals facing health concerns. Specifically, the article focuses on predictors of online support group/community participation, major theoretical frameworks that have been applied to the study of online support groups/communities, and coping strategies and health outcomes for individuals facing health concerns. Finally, the article discusses the strengths and limitations of existing empirical studies in this area; presents a critique of the relative merits and limitations of a number of theoretical frameworks that have been applied to the study of online support groups/communities for people facing health concerns; and it provides an agenda for future communication research on health-related online support groups/communities.

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