@article{ref1,
title="The mental health of visitors of web-based support forums for bereaved by suicide",
journal="Crisis",
year="2014",
author="Kramer, Jeannet and Boon, Brigitte and Schotanus-Dijkstra, Marijke and van Ballegooijen, Wouter and Kerkhof, Ad and van der Poel, Agnes",
volume="36",
number="1",
pages="38-45",
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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0227-5910",
doi="10.1027/0227-5910/a000281",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000281"
}