title: A conceptual framework for electronic socio-emotional support for people with special needs.
abstract: In recent years an increasing number of people under psychological distress turn to computer-mediated communication for support. A related development is the increasing number of computer-mediated support groups in which people meet, share interests, and exchange socio-emotional support through text-based messages on computer networks. To date, a few policy makers and researchers have addressed the phenomenon of social-emotional support through electronic communication for populations with special needs. This paper presents a conceptual framework developed to characterize an electronic socio-emotional support process for people with special needs. The electronic socio-emotional support framework is based on a review of the literature as well as the results of a pilot study, which examined the use of an electronic mentoring intervention program based on mutual self-disclosure and friendship between mentors and youth with special needs. The implications of the electronic socio-emotional support framework for people with special needs are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Special Education, Faculty of Education, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. carmits@univ.haifa.ac.il
authors.forename: Carmit-Noa
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Shpigelman
authors.forename: Shunit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reiter
authors.forename: Patrice L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D003197:Computer Literacy; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004644:Emotions; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008611:Mentors / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D012984:Software; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted