Internet support groups for suicide survivors: a new mode for gaining bereavement assistance.
Taken among parents who sustained the loss of a child to suicide this study explores the participation of parents in Internet support groups, comparing their demographic and loss-related characteristics (N = 104) to other parent survivors participating in face-to-face support groups (N = 297). Contrary to expectations that Internet affiliates would be concentrated in under-served rural areas, we found similar levels of urban, suburban, small city and rural residents in both Internet and face-to-face subsamples. Bivariate and multivariate analyses suggested several important factors contributing to interest in Internet grief support including: 24/7 availability and opportunities to invest more time into this type of support group experience. Compared to their face-to-face group counterparts, Internet affiliates experienced greater suicide stigmatization from their families and other associates. Unable to find ready comfort and support from their personal communities, Internet users-and especially highly depressed survivors-sought and obtained valuable help from the Internet support resource.
Feigelman
William
W
Department of Sociology, Nassau Community College, Garden City, New York 11530-6793, USA. feigelw@ncc.edu
Gorman
Bernard S
BS
Beal
Karyl Chastain
KC
Jordan
John R
JR
D000328:Adult; D001601:Bereavement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States