Seeking support: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of an Internet message board for people with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
- 1 July 2009
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis in Psychology & Health
- Vol. 24 (6), 619-634
- https://doi.org/10.1080/08870440802563245
Abstract
In this article, we report on the findings of a qualitative inquiry into how an online message board for people who have Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) was used by its members. All messages (and responses) posted on the CRPS message board over a 4-month period were collected retrospectively. The data were analysed using the method of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Members used the message board to seek (and provide) support to those with CRPS, and also to express their emotions, feelings and experiences linked to their condition. The message board provided an important source of support for a patient group that can otherwise become isolated as a result of their mobility problems. Furthermore, the analysis revealed the unrealistic hopes that patients can hold concerning the anticipated outcomes of their treatment. This is an important issue for healthcare professionals to explicitly address when interacting with the patient group.Keywords
This publication has 48 references indexed in Scilit:
- Managing threats to femininity: Personal and interpersonal experience of living with vulval painPsychology & Health, 2008
- Support provision and emotional work in an Internet support group for cancer patientsPatient Education and Counseling, 2006
- Preparing for pain management: A pilot study to enhance engagementThe Journal of Pain, 2005
- The health benefits of writing about intensely positive experiencesJournal of Research in Personality, 2004
- Cancer Narratives and the Cancer Support GroupJournal of Health Psychology, 2003
- Medicine on the line? Computer‐mediated social support and advice for people with diabetesInternational Journal of Social Welfare, 2002
- Self-responsibility and coping with pain: disparate attitudes toward psychosocial issues in recovery from work place injuryDisability and Rehabilitation, 2002
- Writing about the Perceived Benefits of Traumatic Events: Implications for Physical HealthPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 2000
- Accelerating the coping process.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1990
- Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy of the Lower ExtremityPublished by Wolters Kluwer Health ,1989