Qualitative investigation of the role of quality in online community support for people living with HIV and AIDS

Abstract

This research advances a new P2PSNSQual model, a peer-to-peer (P2P) social networking site quality construct. This study derived its theoretical background from SNSQUAL, a social networking quality model, and qualitatively confirmed that two independent dimensions -- perceived usefulness and information quality -- influence the quality of P2P support groups on social media and continued user engagement. For people living with HIV and AIDS (PLHA), this study determined that perceived usefulness is based on five dimensions identified here: reduced felt stigma, reinforced safe space, critical life line, perceived social support, perceived material support. Information quality is determined for PLHA users by the availability of information critical to PLHA, access to which is facilitated by a social media-based health intervention. This study contributes to information systems (IS) research and practice by: 1) introducing a new quality construct, P2PSNS quality; 2) recognizing six required dimensions of P2PSNS quality for PLHA; 3) and creating the first P2P social media quality model (P2PSNSQUAL), contextualized for use within a unique user group; and 4) investigating the impact of P2PSNS quality on continued user engagement, and fills a gap in the IS literature. The new P2PSNSQUAL model identifies a need for further study of P2P SNS use by targeted user groups in the health intervention context.

KEY WORDS:

• critical information
• critical life line
• P2PSNSQUAL
• perceived usefulness
• information quality
• perceived social support
• perceived material support
• reduced felt stigma
• reinforced safe space

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Guruprasad Gadgil

Guruprasad Gadgil is an assistant professor in the Department of Management Information Systems in the School of Business at the Francis Marion University. Prior to earning his doctorate in information science and becoming a faculty member, he earned a master’s degree in information systems, a masters degree in information management, and a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering. He enjoyed a long career as a business analyst and headed the systems and knowledge management section in the IT sector. His research interests include social media analytics, cyber security, IT, and healthcare operations management.

Gayle Prybutok

Gayle Prybutok is an assistant professor in the Department of Rehabilitation and Health Services in the College of Health and Public Service at the University of North Texas. Prior to earning her doctorate in information science and becoming a faculty member, she earned an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She enjoyed a long career as a nurse and healthcare executive in a variety of care delivery settings. Her research interests include health communication/message design, quality improvement, and healthcare operations management.

Victor Prybutok

Victor Prybutok is a Regents professor of decision sciences in the information Technology and Decision Sciences Department and vice provost and dean of the Toulouse Graduate School at the University of North Texas. He received his bachelor’s degree from Drexel University, a master’s degree in bio-mathematics, a master’s degree in environmental health, and a doctorate in environmental analysis and applied statistics. He is an ASQ certified quality engineer, certified quality auditor, certified manager of quality/organizational excellence, and an accredited professional statistician (PSTAT®) by the American Statistical Association. He has authored over 195 journal articles, several book chapters, and more than 250 conference presentations in information systems measurement, quality control, risk assessment, and applied statistics.