title: Online support for caregivers of people with a mental illness.
abstract: This article reports on an online self-help group for caregivers of people with a mental illness. A discourse analysis was conducted using 417 messages contained within an 18-month period. Messages that had a primary focus of disclosure (N = 160) and providing information or advice (N = 89) were the most frequent. The content of messages was also examined. Discussion of emotions and diagnoses were found in 42% and 34.6% of the messages, respectively. A review of the current status of online self-help groups and implications for practice are also provided.
authors.affiliation: Oak Grove Treatment Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA. BrianPerron@OakGroveTreatmentCenter.com
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Perron
mesh_terms: D017028:Caregivers; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D009862:Online Systems / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support