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Gender and online cancer support groups: issues facing male cancer patients
1University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA. morton.lieberman@ucsf.edu
Background:
Men are underrepresented in cancer support groups. They emphasize information seeking rather than emotional support and are less likely to express negative emotion critical for change. Three hypotheses were tested; men compared to women express fewer negative emotions, especially about their cancer, and men experience more fear and apprehension.
Method:
Four online professionally led groups were sampled. Assessments of emotions and fears used 3 text analysis programs.
Results:
Women expressed more negative emotions. These differences were more pronounced when discussing their cancer. Men experienced greater anxiety/fear, which may explain their under representation.
Conclusions:
The dual dilemma of attracting men to support groups and directing them to emotional issues represents a challenge to health providers.
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