The Mental Health of Visitors of Web-Based Support Forums for Bereaved by Suicide

Kramer, Jeannet; Boon, Brigitte; Schotanus-Dijkstra, Marijke; Ballegooijen, Wouter van; Kerkhof, A.J.F.M.; Poel, Agnes van der

doi:10.1027/0227-5910/a000281

Cited by 40 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…This suggests a kind of ''plateau'': that Internet-based resources might facilitate recovery up to a certain point-between 3 and 6 years after the suicide-after which using these resources might become less helpful or even maladaptive for the suicide bereaved, while satisfaction with current psychosocial health of bereaved nonusers continues to improve in a more linear fashion (Figure 4) (cf. Feigelman et al, 2008;Kramer et al, 2015). However, the cross-sectional design of this study precludes such a longitudinal assumption.…”

Section: Do Digital Resources Have Any Impact On Suicide Bereaved Peomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These both psychological and social consequences were Depressed mood, Meaninglessness, Anxiety, Sleep problems, Guilt, Difficulty managing daily routines, Loneliness and isolation, Anger, and Shame (see Table 4). The selection of the different consequences was partly based on commonly used terms in previous studies on the subject (e.g., Kramer et al, 2015;McMenamy et al, 2008). Each feeling or consequence was rated from 1 to 5, where 1 was Nothing and 5 was Very much.…”

Section: Variables and Scalesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies have also shown that participants in online support groups find it easier to discuss grief issues with their group than with family members or friends, as the group members show better understanding and are easier to reach for support and help (Feigelman et al, 2008;Oliveri, 2003;Pendry & Salvatore, 2015). Participation in different kinds of digital grief forums can bring bereaved people together in their grief work to form communities and also increase the possibility to maintain and enhance their relationships and bonds to the deceased (Bailey, Bell, & Kennedy, 2015;Moss, 2004;Roberts, 2004;Sofka, Cupit, & Gilbert, 2012), and a majority of the users seem to find the support groups beneficial and also show some improvement regarding well-being and depression (Kramer et al, 2015). However, these new patterns of mourning and memorizing have also raised concerns that different digital resources may increase and amplify negative ruminations and a reluctance to ''let go'' of the deceased (e.g., Stroebe, Van der Houven, & Schut, 2008).…”

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confidence: 99%

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The Usage of Digital Resources by Swedish Suicide Bereaved in Their Grief Work: A Survey Study

Westerlund

2018

Omega (Westport)

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This study examined Swedish suicide bereaved individuals' use of different resources in their grief work and how they value these resources. The material consisted of a web-based survey, which was analyzed with quantitative methods. The results showed that the psychosocial ill-health was severe among the suicide bereaved participants and that a majority used digital resources in their grief work. The propensity to engage in online support groups or memorial websites was not predicted by the severity of psychosocial consequences following the suicide. However, multiple regressions showed that higher online support group activity predicted more satisfaction with current psychosocial health, while memorial websites seemed to have the opposite effect. This study not only indicates that some digital resources, for example, online support groups, may be an effective way of coping with grief related to suicide loss, but also suggests that memorial websites may increase rumination and in this way cause emotional distress.

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Section: Do Digital Resources Have Any Impact On Suicide Bereaved Peomentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Variables and Scalesmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Usage of Digital Resources by Swedish Suicide Bereaved in Their Grief Work: A Survey Study

Westerlund

2018

Omega (Westport)

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“…Peer support is a core part of the recovery journey for many people experiencing mental ill-health [44]. This study revealed that peer support provided through the forums had 3 components: (1) individuals reflecting on the modeling of recovery or hope given by others sharing their stories (support of other to self); (2) the provision of support to others (support of self to other); and (3) visualizing individuals providing help to others on the forums (support of other to other).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social Connection and Online Engagement: Insights From Interviews With Users of a Mental Health Online Forum

Smith‐Merry¹,

Goggin²,

Campbell³

et al. 2019

JMIR Ment Health

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Background Over the past 2 decades, online forums for mental health support have emerged as an important tool for improving mental health and well-being. There has been important research that analyzes the content of forum posts, studies on how and why individuals engage with forums, and how extensively forums are used. However, we still lack insights into key questions on how they are experienced from the perspective of their users, especially those in rural and remote settings. Objective The aim of our study was to investigate the dynamics, benefits, and challenges of a generalized peer-to-peer mental health online forum from a user perspective; in particular, to better explore and understand user perspectives on connection, engagement, and support offered in such forums; information and advice they gained; and what issues they encountered. We studied experiences of the forums from the perspective of both people with lived experience of mental illness and people who care for people with mental illness. Methods To understand the experience of forum users, we devised a qualitative study utilizing semistructured interviews with 17 participants (12 women and 5 men). Data were transcribed, and a thematic analysis was undertaken. Results The study identified 3 key themes: participants experienced considerable social and geographical isolation, which the forums helped to address; participants sought out the forums to find a social connection that was lacking in their everyday lives; and participants used the forums to both find and provide information and practical advice. Conclusions The study suggests that online peer support provides a critical, ongoing role in providing social connection for people with a lived experience of mental ill-health and their carers, especially for those living in rural and remote areas. Forums may offer a way for individuals to develop their own understanding of recovery through reflecting on the recovery experiences and peer support shown by others and individuals enacting peer support themselves. Key to the success of this online forum was the availability of appropriate moderation, professional support, and advice.

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“…programs (Kingston, Mihalic, & Sigel, 2016); to more recent types of support such as the support one receives from an online network of support (Kramer, Boon, Schotanus-Dijkstra, van Ballegooijen, Kerkhof, & van der Poel, 2015;Melling & Houguet-Pincham, 2011;Schotanus-Dijkstra, Havinga, van Ballegooijen, Delfosse, Mokkenstorm, & Boon, 2014;Watkins & Jefferson, 2013). What each of these studies has in common is the singular perspective from which social support is often studied.…”

Section: The Problemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple Measures of Family and Social Support as Predictors of Psychological Well-Being: An Additive Approach

Mason¹

2016

JEDP

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The purpose of this study was to (1) examine the direct relations of multiple sources of social support on psychological well-being and (2) to examine the utility of an additive model on these variables, in a sample of 251 participants from a Southwestern Georgia University. The sources of support included family environment, friendship, family and significant other support, father's bonding and mother's bonding. Measures of psychological well-being included the summed total of Ryff's Scale of Psychological Well-Being (PWB), as well as self-confidence-an additional measure of psychological well-being. In addition to direct effects, it was hypothesized that having multiple, rather than fewer sources of support would be more beneficial to an individual. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to test the unique variability each variable added, as well as to determine whether the additive model predicted PWB above and beyond singular sources of support. Results revealed that the hypotheses predicting direct relationships between the social supports of interest and PWB were largely supported by the data with the exception of father bonding. Results for the additive model revealed mixed results, indicating that having numerous concurrent support lines are beneficial in certain cases. The importance of having multiple social supports from which one can rely, especially when dealing with stressors and crises are also expressed.

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The Mental Health of Visitors of Web-Based Support Forums for Bereaved by Suicide

Abstract: After 1 year some positive changes but a large group was still struggling with their mental health. Interviews indicate that the forum was valued for finding recognition.

Cited by 40 publications

References 27 publications

The Usage of Digital Resources by Swedish Suicide Bereaved in Their Grief Work: A Survey Study

The Usage of Digital Resources by Swedish Suicide Bereaved in Their Grief Work: A Survey Study

Social Connection and Online Engagement: Insights From Interviews With Users of a Mental Health Online Forum

Multiple Measures of Family and Social Support as Predictors of Psychological Well-Being: An Additive Approach

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