The Effects of Expression: How Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) Influence Health
Monona Terrace 1 John Nolen Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53703
press release: Dhavan Shah, Maier-Bascom professor at UW-Madison
This talk will explore how expression in online health support networks can benefit patients dealing with cancer, chronic health conditions, and addiction. Shah considers (a) the therapeutic benefits of self-expression and the psychological basis of “sender-effects” — where message senders benefits from the process of composing and sharing messages, and (b) the potential to use self-expression to detect traits and characteristics regarding a person’s health and well-being and to intervene to support them when needed. The implications of “expression effects” for health and well-being are discussed.