title: Internet versus face-to-face therapy: emotional self-disclosure issues for young adults.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare differences in emotional self-disclosure between young adult Internet users who prefer face-to-face therapy to those who prefer Internet therapy. A convenience sample of 328 was recruited from Facebook to complete an online survey. A total of 263 preferred face-to-face therapy (F2FT) while 65 preferred Internet therapy (IT). Significant differences were found with the F2FT group willing to disclose emotions of depression, jealously, anxiety, and fear to a therapist more frequently than the IT group. The majority reported a preference for F2FT over IT. Recommendations for future professional practice and research are included.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, International University of Nursing, Basseterre, Camps, P. O. Box 1218, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis. vlr9@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Vickie L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Mary Quinn
authors.initials: MQ
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.forename: May L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Wykle
authors.forename: Joyce J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007578:Jealousy; D008297:Male; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000458:organization & administration*; D055815:Young Adult