Characteristics of midlife women recruited through internet communities/groups.

The purpose of this study was to explore demographic characteristics of a specific online population, midlife women recruited through Internet communities or groups, and to provide future direction for Internet research among midlife women. Using a feminist perspective, the study focused on ethnic variations in the characteristics of the midlife women. A total of 192 midlife women were recruited through Internet communities. The Internet survey included questions on sociodemographic characteristics and health/illness status. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings indicated that midlife women recruited through Internet communities tended to be white, young, married, and affluent. The findings also indicated significant ethnic differences in sociodemographic characteristics. The findings suggest that researchers need to consider that midlife women recruited from Internet communities tend to be a specific group of midlife women.