ABSTRACT
Internet support groups or help groups have evolved as resources valuable to many individuals, and are embraced by many people as aids in facing and overcoming life’s problems. The concept of support groups is not new; people have extolled for years the value of organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, Weight Watchers, Parents Without Partners, and others. Now these and countless other groups are meeting in cyberspace. Whether groups are commercialized and well known or informal and known only to a few, members often credit them with playing vital roles in overcoming problems. In recent years, support groups have gone online, finding wide acceptance and interest. Online groups may share information by e-mail, instant messaging, online bulletin boards, chat, or combinations of e-communication modes. They boast several advantages over face-to-face groups. Participants can log on anytime and anywhere, thus eliminating the constraints of common times and locations for physical meetings. Contributors can use pseudonyms for identifying themselves, allowing for anonymity and privacy. People who face similar problems may be separated by hundreds or even thousands of miles and still share ideas and concerns, often with their different perspectives adding dimension to discussions.
