Abstract
ObjectiveThis research aimed to gain further understanding of how open Facebook groups are used for online peer to peer support and identify any similarities and/or differences between UK and US groups.MethodA systematic search of mental health related open Facebook groups was conducted using relevant key words. The posts from 14 UK and 11 US groups were acquired over a three month period and content thematically analysed using Nvivo.ResultsFindings support previous research which evidences that online peer to peer support is beneficial for users seeking mental health information. Said support can increase feelings of connectedness, reduce feelings of isolation, and provide a platform for comparison of perspectives relating to personal experiences. Group membership may offer hope and increase feelings of empowerment in those using Facebook groups as a support mechanism. There was similar discourse seen throughout both UK and US posts in regards to gender inequality, lack of awareness and stigmatisation.ConclusionsThe study highlights the positive impact of shared personal experiences, and offers a greater understanding of the benefits of online peer to peer support for mental health and wellbeing. There is evidence that, whilst mental health is becoming a more widely discussed topic, in both the UK and US, it remains negatively perceived. Questions are posed for group administrators and health professionals relating to their utilisation and moderation of such online peer to peer support networks.
Highlights
Online platforms for healthDuring 2017, 90% of all UK residential living had access to the World Wide Web, with almost three quarters of people (73%) accessing the internet using a tablet or mobile phone.[1,2] Over the last decade, online social networking sites (SNS) have become more prevalent
The current study examined how people in the UK and US with a diagnosed or suspected mental illness or those who experience mental illness through those around them, utilized open Facebook groups in relation to mental health
By sharing personal experiences of their mental illness, Facebook users provided informational and emotional support to other group members via Online peer to peer support (oPTPS) that may not be available from the receivers own social network or professionals, in line with previous research,[53,85] oPTPS may lead to increased feelings of connectedness for the receiver,[41] potentially reduce feelings of social isolation.[22,27,28,29]
Summary
During 2017, 90% of all UK residential living had access to the World Wide Web, with almost three quarters of people (73%) accessing the internet using a tablet or mobile phone.[1,2] Over the last decade, online social networking sites (SNS) have become more prevalent. Usage of SNS has increased tenfold between 2005 and 2015, with 69% of US adults,[3] and 66% of UK adults using online social media platforms. Seeking and sharing, for both physical and mental health.[2,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15]
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