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Understanding the Impacts of Online Mental Health Peer Support Forums: Realist Synthesis.
Marshall, Paul; Booth, Millissa; Coole, Matthew; Fothergill, Lauren; Glossop, Zoe; Haines, Jade; Harding, Andrew; Johnston, Rose; Jones, Steven; Lodge, Christopher; Machin, Karen; Meacock, Rachel; Nielson, Kristi; Puddephatt, Jo-Anne; Rakic, Tamara; Rayson, Paul; Robinson, Heather; Rycroft-Malone, Jo; Shryane, Nick; Swithenbank, Zoe; Wise, Sara; Lobban, Fiona.
Afiliación
  • Marshall P; Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom.
  • Booth M; Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom.
  • Coole M; School of Computing and Communications, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom.
  • Fothergill L; Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom.
  • Glossop Z; Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom.
  • Haines J; IT Corporate Services, Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Berkshire, United Kingdom.
  • Harding A; Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom.
  • Johnston R; Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom.
  • Jones S; Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom.
  • Lodge C; Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom.
  • Machin K; Survivor Research Network, London, United Kingdom.
  • Meacock R; Division of Population Health, Health Services Research & Primary Care, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
  • Nielson K; Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom.
  • Puddephatt JA; Department of Psychology, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, United Kingdom.
  • Rakic T; Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom.
  • Rayson P; School of Computing and Communications, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom.
  • Robinson H; Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom.
  • Rycroft-Malone J; Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom.
  • Shryane N; Social Statistics, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
  • Swithenbank Z; Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom.
  • Wise S; IT Corporate Services, Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Berkshire, United Kingdom.
  • Lobban F; Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom.
JMIR Ment Health ; 11: e55750, 2024 May 09.
Article en En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38722680
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Online forums are widely used for mental health peer support. However, evidence of their safety and effectiveness is mixed. Further research focused on articulating the contexts in which positive and negative impacts emerge from forum use is required to inform innovations in implementation.

OBJECTIVE:

This study aimed to develop a realist program theory to explain the impacts of online mental health peer support forums on users.

METHODS:

We conducted a realist synthesis of literature published between 2019 and 2023 and 18 stakeholder interviews with forum staff.

RESULTS:

Synthesis of 102 evidence sources and 18 interviews produced an overarching program theory comprising 22 context-mechanism-outcome configurations. Findings indicate that users' perceptions of psychological safety and the personal relevance of forum content are foundational to ongoing engagement. Safe and active forums that provide convenient access to information and advice can lead to improvements in mental health self-efficacy. Within the context of welcoming and nonjudgmental communities, users may benefit from the opportunity to explore personal difficulties with peers, experience reduced isolation and normalization of mental health experiences, and engage in mutual encouragement. The program theory highlights the vital role of moderators in creating facilitative online spaces, stimulating community engagement, and limiting access to distressing content. A key challenge for organizations that host mental health forums lies in balancing forum openness and anonymity with the need to enforce rules, such as restrictions on what users can discuss, to promote community safety.

CONCLUSIONS:

This is the first realist synthesis of online mental health peer support forums. The novel program theory highlights how successful implementation depends on establishing protocols for enhancing safety and strategies for maintaining user engagement to promote forum sustainability. TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42022352528; https//www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=352528.
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Texto completo: 1 Colección: 01-internacional Banco de datos: MEDLINE Asunto principal: Grupo Paritario Límite: Humans Idioma: En Revista: JMIR Ment Health Año: 2024 Tipo del documento: Article País de afiliación: Reino Unido

Texto completo: 1 Colección: 01-internacional Banco de datos: MEDLINE Asunto principal: Grupo Paritario Límite: Humans Idioma: En Revista: JMIR Ment Health Año: 2024 Tipo del documento: Article País de afiliación: Reino Unido