The DOI matches its Crossref record; 15 of the 15 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Social support in a wired world: Use of online mental health forums in Norway
Abstract
This study explored the use of the four major Norwegian mental-health-related online discussion forums; who participate, why, and what implications use may have. The objective was to provide a basis for proposing relevant research questions and issues for public policy attention. A total of 492 responses to a web-based questionnaire were received. The respondents, predominantly women (78%) in the age range 18--35 years, found forum participation useful for information, and social contact and support. A majority (75%) found it easier to discuss personal problems online than face-to-face, and almost half say they discuss problems online that they do not discuss face-to-face. A majority would not have participated had they not had the option of using a pseudonym. Respondents perceive discussion groups as a supplement rather than a replacement of traditional mental health services, reporting no change in the amount or type of service used. A clear majority want professionals to take an active role in these types of forum. Comments from respondents indicate that forums may have an empowering effect. We believe that online interaction can have unique benefits for people suffering from mental disorders. Professionals will need new knowledge and perceptions of their roles, and public authorities will have to decide their role in influencing the quality of services offered, and the social values conveyed, to those who seek help through the Internet.
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In the citing paper
“Social support is considered an essential component in helping people cope with psychological distress [57].”
From Psychosocial Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Large-scale Quasi-Experimental Study on Social Media (2020) · cites this paper as [57]
In the citing paper
“Research reports that supportive interactions can even have a “buffering effect” [57,58]; that is, they can be protective against the negative consequences of mental health.”
From Psychosocial Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Large-scale Quasi-Experimental Study on Social Media (2020) · cites this paper as [57]
In the citing paper
“Forum users believed the forum increased their knowledge and understanding of mental problems, health care services, their rights, and what they could expect from health services [75].”
From Do online mental health services improve help-seeking for young people? A systematic review (2014) · cites this paper as [75]
In the citing paper
“In addition, being part of the forum made them feel more pro-active, prepared, and goal-oriented with seeking help [75].”
From Do online mental health services improve help-seeking for young people? A systematic review (2014) · cites this paper as [75]
In the citing paper
“anonymous [51,71,74,75]”
From Do online mental health services improve help-seeking for young people? A systematic review (2014) · cites this paper as [75]
In the citing paper
“Another interesting finding was that online services appeared to increase mental health literacy [53,74-77,79], although two studies found no change in mental health literacy [68,78].”
From Do online mental health services improve help-seeking for young people? A systematic review (2014) · cites this paper as [75]
In the citing paper
“allowed personal stories to be shared with others [55,73-76]”
From Do online mental health services improve help-seeking for young people? A systematic review (2014) · cites this paper as [75]
Citations
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
The future of mental health care: peer-to-peer support and social media
Naslund, J. A., Aschbrenner, K. A., Marsch, L. A., & Bartels, S. J. (2016) · Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences · doi:10.1017/s2045796015001067 · Cited by 1,180
Cotten, S. R., & Gupta, S. S. (2004) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2004.02.020 · Cited by 835
Do online mental health services improve help-seeking for young people? A systematic review
Kauer, S. D., Mangan, C., & Sanci, L. (2014) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/jmir.3103 · Cited by 339
Suzuki, L. K., & Calzo, J. P. (2004) · Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.appdev.2004.09.002 · Cited by 307
Effects of internet use on health and depression: a longitudinal study
Bessière, K., Pressman, S., Kiesler, S., & Kraut, R. (2010) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/jmir.1149 · Cited by 270
Metadata
- Authors
- Kummervold, P. E., Gammon, D., Bergvik, S., Johnsen, J.-A. K., Hasvold, T., & Rosenvinge, J. H.
- Affiliations
- University Hospital of North Norway (NO)
- Telenor (Norway) (NO)
- UiT The Arctic University of Norway (NO)
- Venue
- Nordic Journal of Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2002-01
- Volume
- 56
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 59-65
- ISSN
- 0029-1455 (ISSN-L)
- 0803-9488
- 1502-4725
- OpenAlex
- W2072740279
- Cited by
- 223
- References
- 15
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 16.28
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Nordic Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Keywords
- social support, online forums, mental health services, pseudonyms, help-seeking, empowerment, young women
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Attitude to Computers, Mental Disorders, Female, Humans, Male, Mental Health Services, Norway, Surveys and Questionnaires, Social Support, Internet
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