Social network structure of a large online community for smoking cessation.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the social network structure of QuitNet, one of the largest online communities for behavior change, and compared its characteristics to other known social networks. METHODS: Using modern network analysis methods, we identified QuitNet members who were active during a 60-day...

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Publicado en:American Journal of Public Health Vol. 100; no. 7; pp. 1282 - 1290
Autores principales: Cobb NK, Graham AL, Abrams DB
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: American Public Health Association Jul2010
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Jul2010
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      pub: American Public Health Association
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        atl: Social network structure of a large online community for smoking cessation.
      aug:
        au:
          Cobb NK
          Graham AL
          Abrams DB
        affil: Schroeder Institute for Tobacco Research and Policy Studies, Washington, DC 20036, USA. ncobb@americanlegacy.org
      sug:
        subj:
          Computers and Computerization Utilization
          Smoking Cessation
          Social Networks Evaluation
          Adult
          Chi Square Test
          Data Analysis Software
          Data Analysis, Statistical
          Descriptive Statistics
          Female
          Funding Source
          Human
          Logistic Regression
          Male
          Middle Age
          P-Value
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Female
          Male
      ab: OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the social network structure of QuitNet, one of the largest online communities for behavior change, and compared its characteristics to other known social networks. METHODS: Using modern network analysis methods, we identified QuitNet members who were active during a 60-day period, along with their ties. We then derived multiple subgroups, such as key players and integrators, from connections and communication patterns. RESULTS: Among 7569 participants, we identified 103,592 connections to other members. Metrics of social network integration were associated with increased likelihood of being female, being older, having been in the system longer, and not smoking. CONCLUSIONS: The QuitNet community is a large-scale social network with the characteristics required for sustainability of social support and social influence to promote smoking cessation and abstinence. These characteristics include persistence of members over time, heterogeneity of smoking status, and evidence of rich, bidirectional communications. Some of the influential subgroups we identified may provide targets for future network-level interventions.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
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      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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