Christian Greiner1, Anne Chatton2, Yasser Khazaal3. 1. Geneva University Hospitals, Gabriel-Perret-Gentil 4, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland; Geneva University, Général-Dufour 24, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: christian.greiner@hcuge.ch. 2. Geneva University, Général-Dufour 24, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: anne.chatton@hcuge.ch. 3. Geneva University Hospitals, Gabriel-Perret-Gentil 4, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland; Geneva University, Général-Dufour 24, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; Research Centre, University Institute of Mental Health at Montreal, Canada. Electronic address: yasser.khazaal@hcuge.ch.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate online self-help forums related to cannabis users who were searching for help on the Internet. METHODS: We analyzed the content of 717 postings by 328 users in three online forums in terms of fields of interest and self-help mechanisms. Only English-language forums that were free of charge and without registration were investigated. RESULTS: The main self-help mechanisms were disclosure and symptoms, with relatively few posts concerning legal issues and social perceptions. The forums differed significantly in all fields of interest and self-help mechanisms except for social network and financial and vocational issues. Highly involved users more commonly posted on topics related to diagnosis, etiology/research, and provision of information and less commonly on those related to gratitude. Correlation analysis showed a moderate negative correlation between emotional support and illness-related aspects and between emotional support and exchange of information. CONCLUSIONS: Cannabis forums share similarities with other mental health forums. Posts differ according to user involvement and the specific orientation of the forum. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The Internet offers a viable source of self-help and social support for cannabis users, which has potential clinical implications in terms of referring clients to specific forums.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate online self-help forums related to cannabis users who were searching for help on the Internet. METHODS: We analyzed the content of 717 postings by 328 users in three online forums in terms of fields of interest and self-help mechanisms. Only English-language forums that were free of charge and without registration were investigated. RESULTS: The main self-help mechanisms were disclosure and symptoms, with relatively few posts concerning legal issues and social perceptions. The forums differed significantly in all fields of interest and self-help mechanisms except for social network and financial and vocational issues. Highly involved users more commonly posted on topics related to diagnosis, etiology/research, and provision of information and less commonly on those related to gratitude. Correlation analysis showed a moderate negative correlation between emotional support and illness-related aspects and between emotional support and exchange of information. CONCLUSIONS: Cannabis forums share similarities with other mental health forums. Posts differ according to user involvement and the specific orientation of the forum. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The Internet offers a viable source of self-help and social support for cannabis users, which has potential clinical implications in terms of referring clients to specific forums.
Authors: Yasser Khazaal; Fares Zine El Abiddine; Louise Penzenstadler; Djamal Berbiche; Ghada Bteich; Saeideh Valizadeh-Haghi; Lucien Rochat; Sophia Achab; Riaz Khan; Anne Chatton Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-09-24 Impact factor: 4.614