A Newly Developed Online Peer Support Community for Depression (Depression Connect): Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Internet support groups enable users to provide peer support by exchanging knowledge about and experiences in coping with their illness. Several studies exploring the benefits of internet support groups for depression have found positive effects on recovery-oriented values, including empowerment. However, to date, little attention has been paid to user narratives. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to capture the user perspective on an online peer support community for depression with a focus on the modes of user engagement and the benefits users derive from participation in the forum. METHODS: In this qualitative study, we conducted 15 semistructured interviews with users of Depression Connect, a newly developed online peer support community for individuals with depression. Combining a concept-driven and a data-driven approach, we aimed to gain insight into what users value in our Depression Connect platform and whether and how the platform promotes empowerment. We performed a thematic analysis to explore the merits and demerits reported by users by using theoretical concepts widely used in internet support group research. In the subsequent data-driven analysis, we sought to understand the relationship between different styles of user engagement and the participants' experiences with the use of Depression Connect. Data analysis consisted of open, axial, and selective coding. To include as diverse perspectives as possible, we opted for purposive sampling. To verify and validate the (interim) results, we included negative cases and performed member checks. RESULTS: We found participation in Depression Connect contributes to a sense of belonging, emotional growth, self-efficacy, and empowerment. "Getting too caught up" was the most frequently reported negative aspect of using Depression Connect. The deployment and development of three participation styles (ie, reading, posting, and responding) affected the perceived benefits of Depression Connect use differentially, where the latter style was central to enhancing empowerment. "Being of value to others" boosted the users' belief in their personal strength. Finally, Depression Connect was predominantly used to supplement offline support and care for depression, and it mainly served as a safe environment where members could freely reflect on their coping mechanisms for depression and exchange and practice coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings shed new light on user engagement processes on which internet support groups rely. The online community primarily served as a virtual meeting place to practice (social) skills for deployment in the offline world. It also allowed the members to learn from each other's knowledge and experiences and explore newly gained insights and coping skills.

An exploration of the conditions for deploying self-management strategies: a qualitative study of experiential knowledge in depression.

BACKGROUND: Living with recurrent, and/or chronic depression requires long-term management in addition to active coping on a day-to-day basis. Previous research on long-term management, and coping with depression mainly focused on identifying self-management strategies. However, research on the conditions for deploying self-management strategies in depression is lacking. By means of exploring the development of experiential knowledge in depression, and its relation with coping with depression, this study aims to gain insight into the conditions for deploying self-management strategies. METHODS: In the current qualitative study, individual pathways to recovery, living with depression, and recurrence risk were assessed, including but not limited to long-term management. 'Experiential knowledge', which can be defined as patients' unique knowledge and own lived experiences in facilitating and debilitating factors in the recovery process and coping with the disorder, was used as a sensitizing concept. Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals who experienced at least two depressive episodes and were currently in (partial) remission, plus two deviant cases were interviewed to check for saturation. Until saturation was achieved, participants were purposively selected to include diverse perspectives on coping with depression. Data were analysed using a narrative research method. RESULTS: The results show that deploying self-management strategies are an integral part of 'experiential knowledge'. The evolvement of experiential knowledge can be seen as a cyclical process of the main themes that were identified as relevant when coping with depression: introspection, empowerment, self-management strategies, and external moderators of the environment. The identification of supporting and impeding factors in coping with depression from a patient perspective might increase a sustainable use of self-management strategies. CONCLUSION: These results highlight the need for an individualised holistic model of coping with depression, both in research, and in practice. By means of integrating experiential knowledge in this holistic approach, the conditions for deployment of self-management strategies in depressive patients can be specified.