Teens seek emotional support online
Published: Jan. 11, 2008 at 11:31 PM
EDMONTON, Alberta, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- A University of Alberta researcher discovered many teens are seeking emotional support from an online community.
Elaine Greidanus, a graduate student Educational Psychology, says many teens aren't picking up a phone, or seeing a counselor -- they're more likely logging onto the Internet for emotional support.
Greidanus analyzed an online help site, where teens' emotional problems could create an anonymous thread. Trained volunteers would write messages including: "It sounds like you are experiencing a lot of pain right now."
The teens also got support and advice from other adolescents who were online.
The researchers found the supportive messages helped the participants develop a relationship and a sense of community with their peers.
Greidanus said the teens emphasized the importance of expressing their thoughts and feelings to a community that understood, suggesting the online community created an opportunity to seek and receive social support they might not otherwise have.
Elaine Greidanus, a graduate student Educational Psychology, says many teens aren't picking up a phone, or seeing a counselor -- they're more likely logging onto the Internet for emotional support.
Greidanus analyzed an online help site, where teens' emotional problems could create an anonymous thread. Trained volunteers would write messages including: "It sounds like you are experiencing a lot of pain right now."
The teens also got support and advice from other adolescents who were online.
The researchers found the supportive messages helped the participants develop a relationship and a sense of community with their peers.
Greidanus said the teens emphasized the importance of expressing their thoughts and feelings to a community that understood, suggesting the online community created an opportunity to seek and receive social support they might not otherwise have.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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