Predicting changes in giving and receiving emotional support within a smartphone-based alcoholism support group

- Giving and receiving emotional support tend to decline over time.
- Gender, race, and previous treatment are time-invariant predictors of giving support.
- Gender and previous treatment are time-invariant predictors of receiving support.
- Emotional distress and coping strategy are time-variant predictors of giving support.
- Coping strategy is a significant time-variant predictor of receiving support.

This study examined how giving and receiving emotional support in a smartphone-based alcoholism support group changed over time, and what factors predicted the changing patterns. Data were collected as part of a randomized clinical trial of testing a smartphone-based relapse prevention system for alcoholics. Findings suggested that giving and receiving emotional support in a smartphone-based alcoholism support group tended to decline over time. The initial value and growth rate of giving and receiving emotional support varied depending on the group participants' characteristics. These features should be considered in building strategies for the design and implementation of smartphone-based addiction support groups.