This study investigated a computer mediated support group of six breast cancer patients. For a three-month period, patients used home computers to connect to a computer bulletin board on which they read messages from and posted messages to each other. The patients had no difficulty learning to use the computer and used it an average of one hour a week. The patients discussed their medical conditions, shared personal concerns, and offered support. This online approach provided many features of traditional face-to-face support groups.

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Computer-mediated support groups are increasing in number. It is not known, however, whether computer support groups provide the same therapeutic factors as face-to-face groups. A pilot study of a computer support group for six women with breast cancer investigated the presence of Yalom's (1970) therapeutic factors of installation of hope, universality, group cohesion, catharsis and altruism. Results of the pilot indicate that participants in the computer grouv uerceive these theraueutic factors to be uresent with Ule faccars 6fkstillation of hope,'group cohesion, and universality viewed as most urevalent as well as non-sienificantlv but nonetheless. moderately c'orrelated with group meGbers' pe;ceptions of the &era11 helpfulness of Ule group. Surprisingly, altruism was unrelated to helpfulness. Data are discussed in terms of member's disease stage and recommendations for further research. [Article copies availabk from The Haworth Docurnent Delivery Service: 1-800- 342-9678.]