Does Psychological Language Used on Twitter Exert a Placebo Effect on County-Level Cancer Mortality?
Description
Cancer is the leading cause of mortality in the United States, which also results in high economic burden. Although many risk factors for cancer are well known, they are costly to assess on a large scale. This study explores the relationship between psychological language of cancer patients used on Twitter and cancer outcomes. Specifically, it looks at the impact of risk (e.g., stress, anxiety, anger, depression, isolation, and negative emotions) and protective (positive emotions, positive relationships, and social engagement) factors on cancer mortality. To guide our hypotheses development, we adapt a theoretical framework of placebo effect. To test the proposed relationships, we use publicly available county-level data (N = 2979) provided by CDC, CHRR, and Twitter. The findings of the proposed study can be utilized to make better decisions related to psychological predictors of attributions and the impact of risk and protective factors on adjustment and well-being of cancer patients.
Does Psychological Language Used on Twitter Exert a Placebo Effect on County-Level Cancer Mortality?
Cancer is the leading cause of mortality in the United States, which also results in high economic burden. Although many risk factors for cancer are well known, they are costly to assess on a large scale. This study explores the relationship between psychological language of cancer patients used on Twitter and cancer outcomes. Specifically, it looks at the impact of risk (e.g., stress, anxiety, anger, depression, isolation, and negative emotions) and protective (positive emotions, positive relationships, and social engagement) factors on cancer mortality. To guide our hypotheses development, we adapt a theoretical framework of placebo effect. To test the proposed relationships, we use publicly available county-level data (N = 2979) provided by CDC, CHRR, and Twitter. The findings of the proposed study can be utilized to make better decisions related to psychological predictors of attributions and the impact of risk and protective factors on adjustment and well-being of cancer patients.