Psychology/Gerontology Seminar: Gül Seçkin (Univ. of Maryland)

Sabancı University
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

PSYCHOLOGY  / GERONTOLOGY SEMINAR

Using Hierarchical Multivariate Analysis to Examine Interactions between Alternative Appraisals of Cancer and Virtual Health Support among Middle-Aged and Older Internet Users:
Predicting Positive  Self-Reappraisal after Cancer

GÜL SEÇKİN
(University of Maryland)

Thursday, June 28, 2012
15:00
FASS 2034

Abstract:
The advent of online communication is transforming how older adults find social support with a community of peers who cope with similar health issues. This article explores whether participation in virtual health support groups demonstrates a significant interaction with users’ appraisal of their illness experience and predicts self-reappraisal among adults fifty years of age and older (N= 157). Hierarchical multiple regressions demonstrate the significance of the combined effect of virtual health support and its interaction with illness appraisal measures to predict the outcome variable of self-reappraisal. The results indicate that even though appraisal of cancer as a traumatic experience reduces positive self-reappraisal, those who appraised their illness to have been a traumatic experience perceived virtual support to be more influential on their sense of positive change after cancer. In contrast, perceived benefit of virtual support on positive selfappraisal is reduced if illness is appraised as an opportunity for personal growth.

P.S.: The seminar will be held in English.