Online support groups for mental health: A space for challenging self-stigma or a means of social avoidance?

Computers in Human Behavior

Volumn 32, Issue , 2014, Pages 152-161

  Lawlor, Aideen ^a   Kirakowski, Jurek ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK   (Ireland)

Author keywords

Mental illness; Online support groups; Seeking support; Self stigma

Indexed keywords

BAYESIAN NETWORKS; MARKOV CHAINS; RECOVERY;

BAYESIAN ESTIMATIONS; MENTAL ILLNESS; MONTE CARLO MARKOV CHAIN; ONLINE SUPPORT; PERCEIVED BENEFITS; SELF-STIGMA; STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELLING (SEM); UNDERLYING FACTORS;

DISEASES;

EID: 84891585451     PISSN: 07475632     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2013.11.015     Document Type: Article

References (102)

1. G. Andersson, J. Bergstrom, F. Hollandare, P. Carlbring, and V. Kaldo et al. Internet-based self-help for depression: Randomised controlled trial British Journal of Psychiatry 187 2005 456 461 (Pubitemid 41546576)
2. A. Barak, M. Boniel-Nissim, and J. Suler Fostering empowerment in online support groups Computers in Human Behaviour 24 5 2008 1867 1883
3. A. Barak, and M. Dolev-Cohen Does activity level in online support groups for distressed adolescents determine emotional relief? Counselling and Psychotherapy Research 6 2006 186 190
4. Barker, C., Dean, J., & Potts, H. (2013). A randomised controlled trial comparing an online support group to expressive writing for depression and anxiety, Paper presented at Medicine 2.0, September, London; UK.
5. L.J. Barney, K.L. Griffiths, H. Christensen, and A.F. Jorm Exploring the nature of stigmatising beliefs about depression and help-seeking: Implications for reducing stigma BMC Medical Health 9 61 2009 1 11
6. R.M. Baron, and D.A. Kenny The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic and statistical considerations Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 51 6 1986 1173 1182
7. G.F. Bathje, and J.B. Pryor The relationships of public and self-stigma to seeking mental health services Journal of Mental Health Counselling 33 2 2011 161 176
8. D.O. Braithwaite, V.R. Waldron, and J. Finn Communication of social support in computer mediated groups for people with disabilities Health Communication 11 1999 123 151
9. Breuer, L., Barker, C. (2013). Online support groups for depression: Barriers and benefits, Paper presented at Medicine 2.0, September, London; UK.
10. E. Brohan, R. Elgie, N. Sartorius, and G. Thornicroft Self-stigma, empowerment and perceived discrimination among people with schizophrenia in 14 European countries: The GAMIAN-Europe study Schizophrenia Research 122 1-3 2010 232 238
11. A. Broom The eMale: Prostatecancer, masculinity and online sup-port as a challenge to medical expertise Journal of Sociology 41 2005 87 104
12. Burgess, P., Pirkis, J., Coombs, T., & Rosen, A. (2010). Review of recovery measures: Australian mental health outcomes and classification network. Retrieved from: < http://goo.gl/fjXZk >.
13. S.E. Caplan Preference for online social interaction: A theory of problematic internet use and psychosocial well-being Communication Research 30 6 2008 625 648 (Pubitemid 37434299)
14. Carpinello, S., Knight, E., Videka-Sherman, L., Sofka, C., & Markowitz, F. (1996). Self-selection distinguishing factors: Participants and non participants of mental health self-help groups, Project conducted for the Center for the Study of Issues in Public Mental Health, Available at: < http://goo.gl/dw1U0 >.
15. A.T. Chen Exploring online support spaces: Using cluster analysis to examine breast cancer, diabetes and fibromyalgia support groups Patient Education and Counseling 87 2011 250 257
16. J.E. Chung Social interaction in online support groups: Preference for online social interaction over offline social interaction Computers in Human Behaviour 29 4 2013 1408 1414
17. P.W. Corrigan, D. Giffort, F. Rashid, M. Leary, and I. Okeke Recovery as a psychological construct Community Mental Health Journal 35 3 1999 231 239 (Pubitemid 29291585)
18. Corrigan, P. W. (2008). A toolkit for evaluating programs meant to erase the stigma of mental illness. Retrieved from: < http://goo.gl/bYt4l >.
19. P.W. Corrigan, J.E. Larson, and N. Rüsch Self-stigma and the 'why try effect?' Impact on life goals and evidence based practices World Psychiatry 8 2 2009 75 81
20. P.W. Corrigan, P.J. Michael, E. Vega, M. Gause, A.C. Watson, and N. Rüsch Self-stigma of mental illness scale-short form: Reliability and validity Psychiatry Research 199 1 2012 65 69
21. P.W. Corrigan, K.T. Mueser, G.R. Bond, R.E. Drake, and P. Solomon Principals and practice of psychiatric rehabilitation: An empirical approach 2008 Guilford Press New York
22. P.W. Corrigan, J. Rafacz, and N. Rüsch Examining a progressive model of self-stigma and its impact on people with serious mental illness Psychiatry Research 189 3 2011 339 342
23. N.S. Coulson, and H. Buchanan Self reported efficacy of an online dental anxiety support group: Pilot study Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology 36 1 2008 43 46
24. N.S. Coulson, and R.L. Shaw Nurturing health-related online support groups: Exploring the experiences of patient moderators Computers in Human Behaviour 29 2013 1695 1701
25. K.C. Coursaris, and M. Liu An analysis of social support exchanges in online HIV/AIDS self-help groups Computers in Human, Behaviour 25 4 2009 911 918
26. Dare, A., Hardy, J., Burgess, P., Coombs, T., Williamson, M., & Pirkis, J. (2008). Carer outcome measurement in mental health services: Scoping the field, Project conducted for the Australian Mental Health Outcomes and Classification Network, Available at: < http://goo.gl/UD26f >.
27. K. Deaux Social identification E.T. Higgins, A.W. Kruglanski, Social psychology: Handbook of basic principles 1996 Guilford Press New York 777 798
28. H. Deacon, I. Stephney, and S. Prosalendis Understanding HIV/AIDS stigma: A theoretical and methodological analysis 2005 HRSC Press South Africa
29. J. Dryer, L. Costello, and P. Martin Social support online: Benefits and barriers to participation in an internet support group for heart patients The Australian Community Psychologist 22 1 2010 48 63
30. M. Englar-Carlson, and D.S. Shepard Engaging men in couples counselling: Strategies for overcoming ambivalence & inexpressiveness The Family Journal 13 2005 383 391 < http://goo.gl/HEkyy > (Pubitemid 41421191)
31. N. Flores-Gonzalez School kids/street kids: Identity development in latino students 2002 Teachers College Press New York
32. N.E. Frye, and M.M. Dornisch When trust is not enough: The role of perceived privacy of communication tools in comfort with self-disclosure Computers in Human Behaviour 26 2010 1110 1127
33. A. Gulliver, K.M. Griffiths, and H. Christensen Perceived barriers and facilitators to mental health help-seeking in young people: A systematic review BMC Psychiatry 10 113 2010 1 9
34. D. Gunnell, S. Patt, and K. Hawton The economic crisis and suicide British Medical Journal 338 2009
35. N.P. Günüşen, and B. Üstün An RCT of coping and support groups to reduce burnout among nurses International Nursing Review 57 4 2010 485 492
36. A. Horgan, G. McCarthy, and J. Sweeney An evaluation of an online peer support forum for university students with depressive symptoms Archives of Psychiatric Nursing 27 2 2013 84 89
37. T.K. Houston, L.A. Cooper, and D.E. Ford Internet support groups for depression: A 1-year prospective cohort study American Journal of Psychiatry 159 2002 2062 2066
38. Huber, J. (2010). Roehampton University & Elizabeth Finn Care Report on Mental Health in the UK. Retrieved from: < http://www.elizabethfinncare. org.uk/Rise-in-mental-health-illness >.
39. L. Jussim, P. Palumbo, C. Chatman, S. Madon, and A. Smith Stigma and self-fulfilling prophecies T.F. Heatherton, R.E. Kleck, M.R. Hebl, J.G. Hull, The social psychology of stigma 2000 Guilford Press New York 374 418
40. A.N. Joinson Self-disclosure in computer-mediated-communication: The role of self-awareness and visual anonymity European Journal of Social Psychology 31 2001 177 192
41. K. Kaplan, M.S. Salzer, P. Solomon, E. Brusilovskiy, and P. Cousounis Internet peer support for individuals with psychiatric disabilities: A randomized controlled trial Social Science and Medicine 72 1 2011 54 62
42. Kennedy, M. (1990). Psychiatric Hospitalization of GROWers. Paper presented at the second biennial Conference on Community Research and Action, East Lansing, Michigan. Retrieved From: < http://goo.gl/uZ9H6 >.
43. D.E. Klonsky, and T.F. Oltmanns Informant-reports of personality disorder: Relation to self-reports and future research directions Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice 9 1 2006 300 311 (Pubitemid 41288882)
44. J. Kim, R. LaRose, and W. Peng Loneliness as the cause and the effect of problematic Internet use: The relationship between Internet use and psychological well-being CyberPsychology & Behavior 12 2009 451 454
45. P.E. Kummervold, D. Gammon, S. Bergvik, J.K. Johnsen, T. Hasvold, and J.H. Rosenvinge Social support in a wired world Nordic Journal of Psychiatry 56 1 2002 59 65
46. L.F. Kurtz Self help and support groups: A handbook for practicioners 1997 Sage Thousand Oaks, CA
47. L. Leung Loneliness, social support, and preference for online social interaction: the mediating effects of identity experimentation online among children and adolescents Chinese Journal of Communication 4 4 2011 381 399
48. A. Lieberman, E. Gowdy, and L. Knutson The mental health outreach project: A case study in self-help Psychosocial Rehabilitation Journal 14 3 1991 100 105
49. Liebert, T. W., Smith-Adcock, S., & Munson, F. (2008). Exploring how self-help groups compares to face-to-face groups from the user perspective. Journal of Technology in Counseling, 5(1). Retrieved from http://jtc. columbusstate.edu/Vol5-1/Leibert.htm.
50. J.D. Livingston, and J.E. Boyd Correlates and consequences of internalized stigma for people living with mental illness. A systematic review and meta-analysis Social Science and Medicine 71 2010 2150 2161
51. B. Major, and L.T. O'Brien The social psychology of stigma Annual Review Psychology 56 2005 393 421 (Pubitemid 40300791)
52. S.H. Malik, and N.S. Coulson Computer-mediated infertility support groups: An exploratory study of online experiences Patient Education and Counselling 73 1 2008 105 113
53. S.H. Malik, and N.S. Coulson A comparison of lurkers and posters within infertility online support groups Computers, Informatics, Nursing 10 2011 564 573
54. A. McCormack, and S.N. Coulson Individuals with eating disorders and the use of online support groups as a form of social support Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace 3 2 2005 1 12
55. K.Y.A. McKenna, and J.A. Bargh Coming out in the age of the internet: Identity "demarginalization" through virtual group participation Journal or Personality and Social Psychology 75 3 1998 681 694 (Pubitemid 128140253)
56. M. McNaught, P. Caputi, L. Oades, and F. Deane Testing the validity of the recovery assessment scale using an Australian sample Australia and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 41 5 2007 450 457 (Pubitemid 46705720)
57. L. Molix, and B.A. Bettencourt Predicting well-being among ethnic minorities: Psychological empowerment and group identity Journal of Applied Social Psychology 40 3 2010 513 533
58. Muller, M., (2011). National Institute of Mental Health. (2010). The numbers count: Mental disorders in America. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved from: < http://goo.gl/xF1MQ >.
59. E. Nadeem, J.M. Lange, D. Edge, M. Fongwa, T. Belin, and J. Miranda Does stigma keep poor young immigrant and US-born black and latina women from seeking mental health care Psychiatric Services 58 12 2007 1547 1554 < http://goo.gl/nP551 >
60. National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2011). What is mental illness: mental illness facts. National Alliance on Mental Health. Retrieved from: < http://goo.gl/c0ZHj >.
61. G. Nimrod The membership life cycle in online support groups International Journal of Communication 6 2012 1245 1261
62. G. Nimrod Online depression communities does gender matter? Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace 6 1 2012 10.5817/CP2012-1-6
63. B. Nonnecke, D. Andrews, and J. Preece Non-public and public online community participation: Needs, attitudes and behaviour Electronic Commerce Research 6 2006 7 20 (Pubitemid 43492966)
64. Peterson, D., Barnes, A., & Duncan, C. (2008) Fighting shadows: Self-stigma and mental illness: A Report for the Mental Health Foundation New Zealand. Likeminds. Retrieved from: < http://goo.gl/zZQ4C >.
65. D.L. Philips Self-reliance and the inclination to adopt the sick role Social Forces 43 4 1965 555 563
66. K.H.M. Phoenix, and N.S. Coulson Empowering processes in online support groups among people living with HIV/AIDS: A comparative analysis of 'lurkers' and 'posters' Computers in Human Behaviour 26 5 2010 1183 1193
67. J. Powell, N. McCarthy, and G. Eysenbach Cross-sectional survey of users of Internet depression communities BMC Psychiatry 3 19 2003 < http://goo.gl/yMX7S >
68. J. Preece Empathic communities: Balancing emotional and factual communication Interacting with Computers 12 1999 63 77 (Pubitemid 129592054)
69. J. Preece, B. Nonnecke, and D. Andrews The top five reasons for lurking: improving community experiences for everyone Computers in Human Behavior 20 2 2004 201 223
70. D. Rickwood, F.P. Deane, C.J. Wilson, and J. Ciarrochi Young people's help-seeking for mental health problems Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health 4 3 2005 1 34
71. S. Rodgers, and Q. Chen Internet community group participation: Psychosocial benefits for women with breast cancer Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication 10 4 2005 < http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol10/issue4/rodgers.html >
72. N. Rüsch, P.W. Corrigan, M. Wassel, P. Michaels, J.E. Larson, and M. Olschewski et al. Self-stigma, group identification, perceived legitimacy of discrimination and mental health service use The British Journal of Psychiatry 195 2009 551 552
73. R.J. Rydell, and K.L. Boucher Capitalizing on multiple social identities to prevent stereotype threat: The moderating role of self-esteem Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 36 2010 239 250
74. J. Sareen, A. Jagdeo, B.J. Cox, I. Clara, M. Have, and S.L. Belik et al. Perceived barriers to mental health service utilization in the United States, Ontario, and the Netherlands Psychiatric Services 58 2007 357 364 (Pubitemid 46480052)
75. T.J. Schraufnagel, A.W. Wagner, J. Miranda, and P.P. Roy-Byrne Treating minority patients with depression and anxiety: What does the evidence tell us General Hospital Psychiatry 28 1 2006 27 36 < http://goo.gl/K2LFs > (Pubitemid 41827565)
76. Y. Setoyama, Y. Yamazaki, and K. Nakayama Comparing support to breast cancer patients from online communities and face-to-face support groups Patient Education and Counselling 85 2 2011 95 100
77. B.R. Shaw, R.P. Hawkins, F. McTavish, S. Pingree, and D.H. Gustafson Effects of insightful disclosure within computer mediated support groups on women with breast cancer Health Communication 19 2006 133 142 (Pubitemid 43603410)
78. M. Shih Positive stigma: Examining resilience and empowerment in overcoming stigma The Annals of the American Academy 591 2004 175 185 (Pubitemid 38023890)
79. M. Shih, D.T. Sanchez, and G.C. Ho Costs and benefits of switching among multiple social identities R. Crisp, The psychology of social and cultural diversity 2010 Blackwell Publishing Limited UK 62 85
80. J.A. Sirley, M.L. Bruce, G.S. Alexopoulos, D.A. Perlick, S.J. Friedman, and B.S. Meyers Stigma as a barrier to recovery: Perceived stigma and patient-rated severity of illness as predictors of antidepressant drug adherence American Psychiatric Asssociation 52 2001 1615 1620 (Pubitemid 33104454)
81. A. Springer, C.A. Reck, C. Huber, and E. Horcher Online hypospadias support group data analysis Journal of Paediatric Surgery 46 2010 520 524
82. S. Stryker Identity salience and role performance: The relevance of symbolic interaction theory for family research Journal of Marriage and the Family 30 3 1968 558 564
83. M. Stewart, A. Barnfather, J. Magill-Evans, L. Ray, and N. Letourneau Brief report: An online support intervention-perceptions of adolescents with physical disabilities Journal of Adolescence 34 4 2011 795 800
84. Stuckler, D., Basu, S., McDaid, D. (2011). Depression amidst depression. Mental health effects of the ongoing recession. A background paper prepared for the WHO Regional Office for Europe, < http://goo.gl/p0EY3A >.
85. J. Suler The online disinhibition effect Cyber Psychology and Behaviour 7 3 2004 321 326 (Pubitemid 38880146)
86. P.A. Thoits Resisting the stigma of mental illness Social Psychology Quarterly 74 1 2011 6 28
87. L.C. Tidwell, and J.B. Walther Computer-mediated communication effects on disclosure, impressions, and interpersonal evaluations: Getting to know one another a bit at a time Human Communication Research 28 3 2002 317 348 (Pubitemid 37496225)
88. J.W. Turner, J.A. Grube, and J. Meyers Developing an optimal match within Online Communities: An exploration of CMC support communities and traditional support Journal of Communication 51 1 2001 231 251
89. P.M. Valkenburg, and J. Peter Online communication and adolescent well-being Testing the stimulation versus the displacement hypothesis Journal of Computer Mediated Communication 12 4 2007 < http://goo.gl/qKWnK >
90. K. Van der Houwen, M. Stroebe, H. Schut, W. Stroebe, and J. Van den bout Online mutual support in bereavement: An empirical investigation Computers in Human Behaviour 26 6 2010 1519 1525
91. C.F. Van Uden-Kraan, C.H.C. Drossaert, E. Taal, E.R. Seydel, and M.A.F.J. van de Laar Self-reported differences in empowerment between lurkers and posters in online patient support groups Journal of Medical Internet Research 10 2 2008 < http://goo.gl/YUSMA >
92. C. Veit, and J. Ware The structure of psychological distress and well-being in general populations Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 51 5 1983 730 742
93. D.L. Vogel, S.R. Hermerdinger-Edward, J.H. Hammer, and A. Hubbard "Boys dont cry" Examination of the links between endorsement of masculine norms, self-stigma and help seeking attitudes for men from diverse backgrounds Journal of Counselling Psychology 58 3 2011 368 382
94. D.L. Vogel, Z. Schectman, and N.G. Wade The role of public and self-stigma in predicting attitudes toward group counselling The Counselling Psychologist 38 7 2010 904 922
95. D.L. Vogel, N.G. Wade, and A.H. Hackler Perceived public stigma and the willingness to seek counselling Journal of Counselling Psychology 54 1 2007 40 50
96. K.L. Walters, and J.M. Simoni Lesbian and gay male group identity attitudes and self-esteem: Implications for counselling Journal of Counselling Psychology 40 1 1993 94 99
97. P.S. Wang, P. Berglund, M. Olfson, H.A. Pincus, K.B. Wells, and R.C. Kessler Failure and delay in initial treatment contact after first onset of mental disorders in the national comorbidity survey replication Archives of General Psychiatry 62 6 2005 603 613 (Pubitemid 40973435)
98. A. Watson, and S.M. Eack Oppression and stigma and their effects N.R. Heller, A. Gitterman, Mental health and social problems: A social work perspective 2011 Routledge New York
99. C.J. Wilson, F.P. Deane, J. Ciarraochi, and D. Rickwood Measuring help-seeking intentions: Properties of the general help-seeking questionnaire Canadian Journal of Counselling 39 1 2005 15 28
100. A. Winzelberg The analysis of an electronic support group for individuals with eating disorders Computers in Human Behavior 13 3 1997 393 407 (Pubitemid 127403737)
101. World Health Report. (2001). Mental Health New Understanding, New Hope. Retrieved from: < http://www.who.int/whr/2001/en/whr01-en.pdf >.
102. X. Zhang, Z. Chen, D. Vogel, M. Yuan, and C. Guo Knowledge-sharing reward dynamics in knowledge management systems: Game theory-based empirical validation Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing and Service Industries 20 2 2010 102 122