Understanding Safety in Online Mental Health Forums: Realist Evaluation
This is the first realist evaluation to directly assess processes underpinning safety in online mental health forums. A key novel finding of this study is that safety emerges not only from harm reduction procedures but also from a facilitative interpersonal atmosphere defined by sensitive moderation and the sharing of lived experiences. Hosts should therefore remain attentive to both potential risks and opportunities to foster connections between community members.
Authors
- Rachel Meacock (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8933-5058)
- Paul Rayson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1257-2191)
- Fiona Lobban (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6594-4350)
- Zoe Glossop (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6151-4860)
- Heather Robinson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3566-2253)
- Paul Marshall (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3913-3359)
- Steven Jones (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8801-5113)
- Neil Caton
Institutions
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (GB)
- University of Manchester (GB)
- Lancaster University (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- JMIR Mental Health
- Published
- 2025-06-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.2196/75320
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Social Work Education and Practice
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 3.66