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Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine 2/2015

01-04-2015 | Original Article

Engagement with a Social Networking Intervention for Cancer-Related Distress

Authors: Jason E. Owen, PhD, MPH, Erin O. Bantum, PhD, Amanda Gorlick, MA, Annette L. Stanton, PhD

Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 2/2015

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Abstract

Background

Understanding patterns and predictors of engagement could improve the efficacy of Internet interventions.

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to characterize engagement in a multi-component Internet intervention for cancer survivors with distress.

Methods

Data were derived from 296 cancer survivors provided with access to the Internet intervention and included self-report measures and directly-measured engagement with each component of the intervention.

Results

Over 12 weeks, average total engagement was 7.3 h (sd = 11.7), and 42 % of participants spent >3 h on the website. Participants spent more time using social networking components than structured intervention content. Greater early and total engagement was associated with previous chemotherapy, being female, and being recruited via the Internet. Early engagement was associated with greater fatigue and more social constraints.

Conclusions

For many users, engagement with an Internet intervention was quite high. Reducing attrition and tailoring content to better meet the needs of those who do not engage should be a focus of future efforts.
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Metadata
Title
Engagement with a Social Networking Intervention for Cancer-Related Distress
Authors
Jason E. Owen, PhD, MPH
Erin O. Bantum, PhD
Amanda Gorlick, MA
Annette L. Stanton, PhD
Publication date
01-04-2015
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Annals of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 2/2015
Print ISSN: 0883-6612
Electronic ISSN: 1532-4796
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-014-9643-6

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