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

This study used a qualitative methodology to describe the characteristics of an online mutual-help group for depression. Posts (ie, messages sent to the group) from two randomly chosen weeks (N=1,863 posts; 533 participants) were content coded in order to identify group characteristics. The characteristics identified were related to: (1) group access (universal accessibility & technical difficulties); (2) lack of physical & auditory presence (anonymity, lurking, & lack of personal information); (3) access to archived information; & (4) members' roles (development of out-of-group relationships & dispersion of leadership). These characteristics are discussed with reference to the unique context they create for the provision of mutual help. 1 Table, 47 References. Adapted from the source document.