title: Direction to an Internet Support Group Compared With Online Expressive Writing for People With Depression And Anxiety: A Randomized Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Depression and anxiety are common, often comorbid, conditions, and Internet support groups for them are well used. However, little rigorous research has been conducted on the outcome of these groups.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an Internet support group in reducing depression and anxiety, and increasing social support and life satisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized trial compared direction to an existing Internet support group for depression and anxiety with an online expressive writing condition. A total of 863 (628 female) United Kingdom, United States, and Canadian volunteers were recruited via the Internet. Online, self-report measures of depression, anxiety, social support, and satisfaction with life were administered at baseline, 3, and 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All four outcomes - depression, anxiety, social support, and satisfaction with life - improved over the 6 months of the study (all P <.001). There was no difference in outcome between the two conditions: participants responded similarly to the expressive writing and the Internet support group. Engagement with the Internet support group was low, it had high 6-month attrition (692/795, 87%) and low adherence, and it received mixed and often negative feedback. The main problems reported were a lack of comfort and connection with others, negative social comparisons, and the potential for receiving bad advice. Expressive writing had lower attrition (194/295, 65%) and participants reported that it was more acceptable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Until further evidence accumulates, directing people with depression and anxiety to Internet support groups cannot be recommended. On the other hand, online expressive writing seems to have potential, and its use for people with depression and anxiety warrants further investigation.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01149265; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01149265 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6hYISlNFT).
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical, Educational, and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8487-3196
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dean
authors.forename: Henry Ww
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6200-8804
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Potts
authors.forename: Chris
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9268-9356
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barker
keywords: Internet support; anxiety; depression; expressive writing; online support