Mapping engagement in twitter-based support networks for adult smoking cessation

C.M. Lakon, C. Pechmann, C. Wang, L. Pan, K. Delucchi and J.J. Prochaska

American Journal of Public Health, 2016, vol. 106, issue 8, 1374-1380

Abstract: We examined engagement in novel quit-smoking private social support networks on Twitter, January 2012 to April 2014. We mapped communication patterns within 8 networks of adult smokers (n = 160) with network ties defined by participants' tweets over 3 time intervals, and examined tie reciprocity, tie strength, in-degree centrality (popularity), 3-person triangles, 4-person cliques, network density, and abstinence status. On average, more than 50% of ties were reciprocated in most networks and most ties were between abstainers and nonabstainers. Tweets formed into more aggregated patterns especially early in the study. Across networks, 35.00% (7 days after the quit date), 49.38% (30 days), and 46.88% (60 days) abstained from smoking. We demonstrated that abstainers and nonabstainers engaged with one another in dyads and small groups. This study preliminarily suggests potential for Twitter as a platform for adult smoking-cessation interventions. © 2013 American Public Health Association.

Keywords: adult; human; major clinical study; smoking cessation; social support; adolescent; female; health promotion; interpersonal communication; male; middle aged; procedures; smoking cessation; social media; social support; socioeconomics; statistics and numerical data; time factor; young adult, Adolescent; Adult; Communication; Female; Health Promotion; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Smoking Cessation; Social Media; Social Support; Socioeconomic Factors; Time Factors; Young Adult (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2016.303256_4

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2016.303256

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