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2 results

  • 10 - Connectivity and Connection

  • Jeffrey A. Hall, University of Kansas
  • Book:
    Relating Through Technology
    Published online:
    26 June 2020
    Print publication:
    16 July 2020, pp 188-207

  • Summary

    The final chapter grapples with a critical question for the entire book: Has greater access to other people through media (connectivity) contributed to people’s sense of connection or furthered a sense of isolation? The current nearly constant state of connectivity is contrasted with the importance of connection through social interaction with close others. This chapter reviews evidence of declining rates of social interaction among Americans. Bringing back theories and perspectives introduced throughout this book, this chapter examines why connectivity does not necessarily make us feel more connected. Finally, the chapter offers suggestions for gaining the most from the promise of connectivity by establishing mediated social interaction routines.

  • Online peer support for mental health problems in the United States: 2004–2010

  • D. C. DeAndrea, J. C. Anthony
  • Journal:
    Psychological Medicine / Volume 43 / Issue 11 / November 2013
    Published online by Cambridge University Press:
    15 February 2013, pp. 2277-2288
  • Background

    Help seeking for online peer and other social support in response to depression and other mental health problems offers an electronic technology alternative to traditional mental health care. Here, with nationally representative samples of adult community residents in the USA, we study online peer support help seeking, estimate its occurrence, and investigate depression and other suspected predictors and correlates, some of which might prove to be causal influences.

    Method

    The data are from nationally representative probability sample surveys of the non-institutionalized US adult population, with a new independent sample assessed via confidential computerized self-assessment modules each year from 2004 to 2010, yielding estimates about online peer support. A total of 264 431 adults participated in these years.

    Results

    An estimated three per 1000 adults (0.3%) seek online peer support for mental health problems each year (95% confidence interval 0.0022–0.0036). Individuals with depression and/or serious psychological distress are strongly over-represented among these adult online peer support help seekers (odds ratio >7, p < 0.001). Associations with college education, being non-Hispanic white, being female, and age are also noteworthy (p < 0.05).

    Conclusions

    Online help seeking for mental health social support is becoming frequent enough for study in large sample national surveys, and might well be fostered by active neuropsychiatric ailments such as depression or other serious psychological distress. Open questions remain about whether the result is beneficial, or conditions required for efficacious online peer support, as might be disclosed in definitive evidence from randomized controlled trials.