A qualitative investigation of the impact of peer to peer online support for women living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a common, chronic condition which affects women living with the condition both physically and psychologically. Social support may be beneficial to sufferers in coping with chronic conditions and the Internet is becoming a common place for accessing social sup...
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| Format: | Article |
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BioMed Central
2013
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| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/3075/ |
| _version_ | 1848790947318464512 |
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| author | Holbrey, Sarah Coulson, Neil S. |
| author_facet | Holbrey, Sarah Coulson, Neil S. |
| author_sort | Holbrey, Sarah |
| building | Nottingham Research Data Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a common, chronic condition which affects women living with the condition both physically and psychologically. Social support may be beneficial to sufferers in coping with chronic conditions and the Internet is becoming a common place for accessing social support and information. The aim of this study was to consider the experiences of women living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome who access and participate in an online support group discussion forum dedicated to issues surrounding this condition.
Methods: Fifty participants responded to a series of open-ended questions via an online survey.
Results: Thematic analysis revealed a number of empowering and disempowering experiences associated with online support group participation. The empowering processes reported by members of the group included: Connecting with others who understand; Access to information and advice; Interaction with healthcare professionals; Treatment-related decision making; Improved adjustment and management. In terms disempowering processes, only two were described by group participants: Reading about the negative experiences of others and Feeling like an outsider.
Conclusions: For women living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, participation within an online support group may help to empower them in a range of important ways however, there may be some disempowering consequences. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T18:20:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | nottingham-3075 |
| institution | University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T18:20:42Z |
| publishDate | 2013 |
| publisher | BioMed Central |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | nottingham-30752020-05-04T16:40:37Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/3075/ A qualitative investigation of the impact of peer to peer online support for women living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Holbrey, Sarah Coulson, Neil S. Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a common, chronic condition which affects women living with the condition both physically and psychologically. Social support may be beneficial to sufferers in coping with chronic conditions and the Internet is becoming a common place for accessing social support and information. The aim of this study was to consider the experiences of women living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome who access and participate in an online support group discussion forum dedicated to issues surrounding this condition. Methods: Fifty participants responded to a series of open-ended questions via an online survey. Results: Thematic analysis revealed a number of empowering and disempowering experiences associated with online support group participation. The empowering processes reported by members of the group included: Connecting with others who understand; Access to information and advice; Interaction with healthcare professionals; Treatment-related decision making; Improved adjustment and management. In terms disempowering processes, only two were described by group participants: Reading about the negative experiences of others and Feeling like an outsider. Conclusions: For women living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, participation within an online support group may help to empower them in a range of important ways however, there may be some disempowering consequences. BioMed Central 2013-12-17 Article PeerReviewed Holbrey, Sarah and Coulson, Neil S. (2013) A qualitative investigation of the impact of peer to peer online support for women living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. BMC Women's Health, 13 (1). 8/1-8/8. ISSN 1472-6874 Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCOS Chronic conditions Online support Peer support http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6874/13/51 doi:10.1186/1472-6874-13-51 doi:10.1186/1472-6874-13-51 |
| spellingShingle | Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCOS Chronic conditions Online support Peer support Holbrey, Sarah Coulson, Neil S. A qualitative investigation of the impact of peer to peer online support for women living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome |
| title | A qualitative investigation of the impact of peer to peer online support for women living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome |
| title_full | A qualitative investigation of the impact of peer to peer online support for women living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome |
| title_fullStr | A qualitative investigation of the impact of peer to peer online support for women living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome |
| title_full_unstemmed | A qualitative investigation of the impact of peer to peer online support for women living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome |
| title_short | A qualitative investigation of the impact of peer to peer online support for women living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome |
| title_sort | qualitative investigation of the impact of peer to peer online support for women living with polycystic ovary syndrome |
| topic | Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCOS Chronic conditions Online support Peer support |
| url | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/3075/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/3075/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/3075/ |