Influential Factors in Breast Cancer Patients' Performance Using Malaysian Social Network Support Groups

Abstract

Social network communities can serve as a health resource for cancer patients to share and disseminate information. Even so, theory-based research into evaluating cancer patients' performance empirically using social network sites (SNSs) is limited, representing an identifiable knowledge gap. This study proposes a research model that integrates social cognitive theory and task technology fit theory to contribute to the understanding of key factors impacting the performance of breast cancer patients using SNSs. Data were collected via a structured paper-based questionnaire. A total of one hundred seventy-eight (178) participants from six cancer support groups and hospitals in Peninsular Malaysia responded to the administered survey. Survey data were analyzed using the partial least squares (PLS) method while Smart PLS was used to test the hypotheses and to validate the proposed model. Results indicate that outcome expectation, self-efficacy, negative affect, positive affect, social support and task technology fit are significant factors affecting the performance of breast cancer patients vis-à-vis Malaysian social network support groups.