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

Cynthia M. Lakon*, Cornelia Pechmann, Cheng Wang, Li Pan, Kevin Delucchi, Judith J. Prochaska

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1374-1380
Number of pages7
JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health
Volume106
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2016
Externally publishedYes

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