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Item Mobile Text Messaging and Connectedness within Close Interpersonal Relationships(2007-06-26T19:33:52Z) Pettigrew, Jonathan Lyn; Parrish-Sprowl, John; Petronio, Sandra; Sandwina, RonMobile telephones are impacting societies around the world and text messaging, short type-written messages sent via mobile phones, has also garnered international research efforts. Research demonstrates that text messages are being used primarily to commence, advance, maintain or otherwise impact interpersonal relationships. The present study probes relational benefits of text messaging within familial and fraternal contexts. Specifically, the study seeks to answer the research question: How does text messaging impact feelings of “connectedness” (IJsselsteijn, van Baren & van Lanen, 2003, p. 928) within “strong-tie” (Howard, et. al., 2006), dyadic relationships? Findings from nineteen respondent interviews show that texting becomes a channel through which dialectical tensions in relationships are played out. Respondents use texting to both assert autonomy and to maintain connectedness with relational partners. Several participants noted that financial issues were an important consideration but nevertheless subscribed to texting services. Users also perceived texting as more constant and more private than mobile voice interaction. Romantic pairs vis-à-vis non-romantic dyads perceived the benefits of text messages differently.Item Young Adult Cancer Survivors' Experiences of Connectedness with Their Healthcare Providers(2010-02-02T20:37:03Z) Phillips-Salimi, Celeste; Haase, Joan E.; Broome, Marion; Carpenter, Janet S.; Frankel, Richard M.Adolescents and young adults with cancer have poorer treatment and survivorship outcomes than either younger or older cancer patients. These individuals also have psychosocial late effects and engage in lifestyle behaviors that increase their risk of subsequent cancer and other chronic illnesses. Thus, there is a need to identify protective factors during the diagnosis and treatment period to foster healthy lifestyle behaviors. Connectedness with healthcare providers is a potential protective factor that may diminish risk-taking behaviors and foster healthcare self-management in adolescents with cancer. However, little is known about connectedness with healthcare providers from adolescents with cancer perspectives. The purpose of this study was to describe young adult cancer survivors' experiences of connectedness with their healthcare providers as they negotiated the experience across the cancer continuum from diagnosis to survivorship during adolescence. A qualitative, empirical phenomenological method guided this research. The sample consisted of 9 young adult cancer survivors who had cancer as adolescents. A broad, data generating question was constructed to elicit rich, narrative descriptions of participants' experiences of connectedness with healthcare providers, which were audio-taped and transcribed. The narrative data were analyzed using Colaizzi's method, which involved a systematic process of extracting and analyzing significant statements for formulated meanings and themes. Seven theme categories were identified and then used to develop a narrative of the essential structure of the experience of connectedness. Connectedness with healthcare providers is a multi-faceted experience that encompasses instances of not only connectedness, but also unconnectedness and disconnectedness. Effective strategies that foster connectedness with adolescents were identified. Behaviors that foster disconnectedness relate to a lack of respect for the adolescent's personhood. Findings indicate that connectedness with healthcare providers may make adolescents more likely to engage in care partnerships and effective self-management during treatment and into survivorship. When there is no connectedness or a disconnection with healthcare providers, a door shuts: there are feelings of helplessness and vulnerability, anger and resentment, and reluctance to connect with healthcare providers for cancer prevention. Clinical implications for healthcare providers are discussed. Future research should focus on connectedness theory development, measures, and interventions that foster adolescent-provider connectedness.