Jeannet Kramer1, Brigitte Boon1, Marijke Schotanus-Dijkstra1, Wouter van Ballegooijen2, Ad Kerkhof3, Agnes van der Poel1. 1. <location>Trimbos Institute (Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction), Utrecht, The Netherlands</location> 2. <location>Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, and the EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands</location> <location>Department of Psychiatry, VU University Medical Centre/GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, The Netherlands</location> 3. <location>Department of Clinical Psychology and EMGO+ Research Institute Faculty of Psychology and Education, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands</location>
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Persons bereaved by suicide are reluctant to ask for social support when they experience feelings of guilt and blame. A web-based peer forum may provide a safe and anonymous place for mutual support. AIMS: This study examined the mental health changes of visitors of two online support forums for persons bereaved by suicide and their experiences with the forum over 1 year. METHOD: Visitors of two forums completed self-report measures at baseline and at 6 and 12 months' follow-up. Repeated measures analyses were used to study changes in well-being, depressive symptoms, and complicated grief. Additionally, participants were interviewed about their experiences with the forum. RESULTS: The 270 participants were mostly female, low in well-being, with high levels of depressive symptoms and complicated grief. Suicidal risk was high for 5.9%. At 12 months, there were small to medium-sized significant improvements in well-being and depressive symptoms (p < .001) and nearly as much for grief (p = .08). About two thirds reported benefit from visiting the forum. Because of the pre-post design we cannot determine whether a causal relationship exists between the form and changes in mental health. CONCLUSION: 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.
BACKGROUND:Persons bereaved by suicide are reluctant to ask for social support when they experience feelings of guilt and blame. A web-based peer forum may provide a safe and anonymous place for mutual support. AIMS: This study examined the mental health changes of visitors of two online support forums for persons bereaved by suicide and their experiences with the forum over 1 year. METHOD: Visitors of two forums completed self-report measures at baseline and at 6 and 12 months' follow-up. Repeated measures analyses were used to study changes in well-being, depressive symptoms, and complicated grief. Additionally, participants were interviewed about their experiences with the forum. RESULTS: The 270 participants were mostly female, low in well-being, with high levels of depressive symptoms and complicated grief. Suicidal risk was high for 5.9%. At 12 months, there were small to medium-sized significant improvements in well-being and depressive symptoms (p < .001) and nearly as much for grief (p = .08). About two thirds reported benefit from visiting the forum. Because of the pre-post design we cannot determine whether a causal relationship exists between the form and changes in mental health. CONCLUSION: 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.
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