Online Support Groups for Depression

Abstract

This mixed-methods study aimed to explore the initial process of engagement with an online support group (OSG) for depression. Fifteen British National Health Service patients experiencing depression who had not previously used an OSG for depression were offered facilitated access to an existing peer-to-peer OSG for 10 weeks. Pre- and post-measures of depression, social support, and self-stigma were taken in addition to a weekly measure of OSG usage. A follow-up qualitative interview was conducted with a subsample of nine participants. Depression and self-stigma reduced over the 10-week period, but perceived social support did not change. There was no evidence of adverse outcomes. Perceived benefits of OSG participation included connection to others, normalization of depression, and stigma reduction. However, engagement with the OSG was generally low. Barriers included concerns over causing harm to others or being harmed oneself, feeling different from others in the group, and fears of being judged by others. OSGs may potentially reduce depressive symptoms and perceived self-stigma. However, considerable barriers may hinder people with depression from engaging with OSGs. Further work is needed to determine who will benefit most from participating in OSGs for depression and how best to facilitate engagement.

Blogging about sexual assault: a thematic analysis

“…This study highlights some of the positive functions of blog writing, but negative aspects of online communication, such as social isolation and trolling also exist (Finn and Lavitt, 1994;Breuer and Barker, 2015). However, the relative newness of using blogging within academic research (Hookway, 2008) and the tendency for research to focus upon children's online behaviour and experiences (see for example Mitchell, Wolok and Finkelhor, 2008) means research on the potential negative experiences of blogging amongst adult sexual assault victims is currently unknown.…”

Web-Based Intervention Preferences and Physical Activity Motivation of People with Depressive Symptoms

“…This may be that connecting with others online is not as confrontational and gives the user more control of the interaction when compared to face-to-face meetings (Breuer, & Barker, 2015;Evans, Donelle, & Hume-Loveland, 2012). Fitting with past research on health related social media use, it was younger and middle aged females who suggested social support features (Thackeray, Crookston, & West, 2013).…”

Cognitive Theories of Depression in Online Peer Support Forums: Exploring the Cognitive Triad

“…Horgan, McCarthy, and Sweeney (2013) found indication that an online environment allows users to receive emotional and social support through identifying with others experiencing the same symptoms. Breuer and Barker (2015) report mixed findings, with participants describing a reduction in depressive symptomology over a ten-week period alongside concern over harming others or themselves because of OF interaction. Whilst further investigation is needed to determine whether OF environments reduce symptoms (Griffiths et al, 2012;Melling & Houguet-Pincham, 2011), access to appropriate networks for health discussion has been found to be important for illness recovery (Perry & Pescosolido, 2015), and so seeking social support may be viewed as a form of help-seeking behaviour.…”

“…The ambivalence expressed by some participants regarding socialisation could be explained within this context, in that belonging to a virtual group with like-minded others is more attractive than real-life interaction. The anonymity afforded by OF environments enables personal information to be confidentially shared (Breuer & Barker, 2015), and may also allow individuals to mediate any stigma or self-stigma that may act as a barrier to accessing other forms of care (Wang et al, 2015).…”

“…Houston, Cooper, and Ford (2002) cite emotional support as the most popular reason for joining OFs, with individuals valuing the ability to help others through participation. Additionally, Breuer and Barker (2015) found being able to anonymously confide in strangers a benefit to users. Models of help-seeking behaviour for depression confirm both stigma and self-stigma as a barrier to seeking assistance offline (Wang, Peng, Li, & Peng, 2015).…”