Journal Facts

Journal
International Journal of Self-Help and Self-Care
ISSN
1091-2851 (print) 1541-4450 (electronic)
Volume
1
Issue
3
Date
1/1/1999

Article Facts

Title
Characteristics of an On-Line Mutual-Help Group for Depression
DOI
10.2190/KF88-9VDH-YN6U-UWAN
Author
Deborah A. Salem and G. Anne Bogat
Pages
247-265
Online Date
05/09/2002

Article Links

Characteristics of an On-Line Mutual-Help Group for Depression

Deborah A. Salem and G. Anne Bogat

DOI: 10.2190/KF88-9VDH-YN6U-UWAN

Abstract

A recent development in mutual help has been the proliferation of on-line mutual-help and self-help groups. This study used a qualitative methodology to describe the characteristics of an on-line mutual-help group for depression. Posts (i.e., messages sent to the group) from two randomly chosen weeks (N = 1863 posts; 533 participants) were content coded in order to identify group characteristics. The characteristics identified were related to: 1) group access (universal accessibility and technical difficulties); 2) lack of physical and auditory presence (anonymity, lurking, and lack of personal information); 3) access to archived information; and 4) members roles (development of out-of-group relationships and dispersion of leadership). These characteristics are discussed with reference to the unique context they create for the provision of mutual help.

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