The aim of this study was to examine the views of moderators across a diverse and
geographically broad range of online support groups about their moderator experiences and …

Objective To identify and describe the activities performed by online support community
moderators. Methods A total of 790 messages were downloaded for analysis. Messages …

OBJECTIVE: Although much has been expected of the empowering effect of taking part in
online patient support groups, there is no direct evidence thus far for the effects of …

People in stressful circumstances, such as serious health conditions, often turn to support
groups. With the increase in the availability and popularity of the Internet, the possibility has …

Online Support Groups (OSGs) entered the health domain in the early 1990s. Although their
technical setup and layout has changed considerably since then, even today they are …

OBJECTIVE: The current research investigates the potential of online support groups
(OSGs) to foster empowerment and how membership might affect the patient/health …

By providing care for loved ones in the home, family caregivers save millions of dollars for
our overtaxed healthcare system. Support groups can lighten the psychological burden of …

Online support groups are expanding as the general public becomes more comfortable
using computer-mediated communication technology. These support groups have certain …

A new model of health care is emerging in which individuals can take charge of their health
by connecting to online communities and social networks for personalized support and …

Social support encompasses the comfort, assistance, and reassurance that people
experience as a function of social relationships (High and Solomon 2011, 119). It can also …