An Exploration of Helping Processes in an Online Self-Help Group Focusing on Issues of Disability

Abstract

This article reviews the growing use of online self-help and mutual aid groups and explores the helping mechanisms and content of an online self-help group for issues related to disability. Messages were downloaded from the group and coded by raters into helping categories to examine the extent to which therapeutic processes were found. The categories included both task and socioemotional-related functions. The study found that the group provided many of the processes used in face-to-face self-help and mutual aid groups, with an emphasis on mutual problem solving, information sharing, expression of feelings, catharsis, and mutual support and empathy. Implications for social work and health care providers and the need for further research are discussed.

Die ervaring van aktiewe betrokkenheid by ʼn aanlyn Facebook-ondersteuningsgroep as ʼn vorm van ondersteuning vir individue wat met Meervoudige Sklerose gediagnoseer is

“…2007;Finn 1999;White & Dorman 2001). Sodanige groepe is nie onderwerp aan ruimtelike en geografiese hindernisse soos aangesigtotaangesig ondersteuningsgroepe nie.…”

La discapacidad en los jóvenes, ¿potencia el riesgo del uso excesivo de internet?

“…Also, other features of this form of interaction as access to a number of a more heterogeneous and varied information, anonymity, making possible to express more freely than in face-to-face environments, or not having to travel to communicate, are certainly features that increase its use (Echeburua & Corral, 2009;Finn, 1999;Suriá & Beléndez, 2011;Wright & Bell, 2003).…”

“…These advantages that are apparent to users can be even higher in some groups (Finn, 1999;Fogel, Albert, Schnabel, Ditkoff & Neugut, 2002;Hoybye, Johansen & Tjornhoj-Thomsen, 2005;Wilson, Grizzle, Tuazon, Akyempong & Cheung, 2011), such as young people with disabilities (Pallanti, Bernardi, & Quercioli, 2006;Suriá, 2012), especially those with reduced mobility as a result of a motor disability.…”

“…The ease of access to endless information, without the limitations let young people with physical limitations changes in their life that otherwise may be difficult or even impossible for them (Finn, 1999). This has been evidenced in different areas of life such as academic (Alcantud, Avila & Romero, 2002), social (Suriá, 2012) or career (Aguado, González, Alcedo & Arias, 2003).…”

“…Similarly, certain physical conditions such as stigmatizing diseases (Hoybye et al, 2005) or disabilities (Finn, 1999), could influence the excessive Internet use.…”