Abstract
Background:
Most research on web-based help seeking for mental health problems has focused on the antecedents of this behavior. Therefore, little is known about the outcomes of web-based help seeking in general or in specific mental health issues.
Objective:
This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on the antecedents and consequences of web-based help-seeking behaviors for depressive symptoms.
Methods:
A systematic literature search was carried out in 6 scientific databases, leading to 48 studies (for a total of 314,921 participants) included in the qualitative synthesis and 19 included in the meta-analysis.
Results:
The results indicated a positive relationship between depressive symptoms and web-based help-seeking behaviors through online support groups (r=0.089; P=.009), and Generation Z (r=0.102; P=.008) tended to participate in support groups more than previous generations. In addition, web-based help seeking was positively related to empowerment (r=0.245; P=.004). Other forms of support reported included the internet and specific self-help tools, but no significant relationships were found with depressive symptoms.
Conclusions:
More studies examining the outcomes are needed, together with a more rigorous assessment of web-based help-seeking behaviors. Ultimately, we propose a summary framework for the literature on this topic, including the antecedents, patterns of use, and outcomes of web-based help seeking in the context of depressive symptoms.
Lingua originale | English |
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pagine (da-a) | N/A-N/A |
Rivista | JMIR. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH |
DOI | |
Stato di pubblicazione | Pubblicato - 2023 |
Pubblicato esternamente | Sì |
Keywords
- depressive symptoms
- empowerment
- internet
- mental health
- support groups
- web-based help-seeking