“You Have to be Positive.” Social Support Processes of an Online Support Group for Men Living with HIV

Abstract

Over the past decade, improved treatments have helped people with AIDS enjoy a state of restored health and greater hope for long-term survival. Because of these changes, social support is an even more important resource for those battling HIV/AIDS. One source for social support is a support group, which offers social and emotional resources to meet the needs of its members. The online support group investigated in this study serves gay men with HIV/AIDS and requires that they talk only about positive aspects of life. To understand the implications this rule has for support processes, a thematic analysis was conducted to determine how this group constructs social support. Rules and resources aimed at the group goal of positivity help develop a unique speech community. Implications for social support, support groups, and the Internet are discussed.

Keywords:

• Gay Men
• HIV/AID
• Internet
• Social Groups
• Social Support

Earlier versions of this article were presented at the National Communication Association annual convention in Miami, FL, 2003 as well as at Internet 1.0: The State of the Interdiscipline in Lawrence, KS, 2000.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jennifer L. Peterson

Jennifer L. Peterson (PhD, University of Illinois) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee.