title: Grief support groups in second life.
abstract: Online grief support groups serve as an avenue of support for the bereaved. In the past, facilitators have criticized the ability to provide group participants with a sense of therapeutic support, given the lack of face-to-face interaction in online groups. However, with the growing technological advances, 3-D virtual worlds, such as Second Life, may increase a participant's sense of presence and improve their group experience. A web-based survey was utilized to explore facilitator attitudes towards grief support groups in Second Life.
authors.affiliation: College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University.
authors.forename: Margaret M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Lubas
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Diagnostic & Translation Sciences, Old Dominion University.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Leo
mesh_terms: D001293:Attitude to Death; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D000076142:Virtual Reality