Online support for caregivers of people with a mental illness.
Author:
- 1 January 2002
- journal article
- Published by American Psychological Association (APA) in Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal
- Vol. 26 (1) , 70-77
Abstract
This article reports on an online self-help group for caregivers of people with a mental illness. A discourse analysis was conducted using 417 messages contained within an 18-month period. Messages that had a primary focus of disclosure (N = 160) and providing information or advice (N = 89) were the most frequent. The content of messages was also examined. Discussion of emotions and diagnoses were found in 42% and 34.6% of the messages, respectively. A review of the current status of online self-help groups and implications for practice are also provided.Keywords
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