Informal caregivers connecting on the Web: Content analysis of posts on discussion forums

Informal caregivers connecting on the Web: Content analysis of posts on discussion forums
JMIR Formative Research; by Michelle L Foster, Chinenye Egwuonwu, Erin Vernon, Mohammad Alarifi, M Courtney Hughes
About 53 million adults in the United States offer informal care to family and friends with disease or disability. Such care has an estimated economic value of US $600 million. Most informal caregivers are not paid nor trained in caregiving, with many experiencing higher-than-average levels of stress and depression and lower levels of physical health. Some informal caregivers participate in web-based forums related to their caregiving role. This study aimed to explore how informal caregivers use easy-to-access caregiving web-based forums, including the types of information they share and seek from others... Domains identified included handling interpersonal challenges, navigating complicated systems, gathering tactical coping strategies, managing emotions, and connecting with others in similar situations... Informal caregivers play an essential role in society. Many experience multifaceted challenges related to their caregiving role, and some turn to the internet for community. Accessing web-based discussion forums is a low-barrier method for informal caregivers to connect with others who may be experiencing similar emotions and challenges. Gaining a greater understanding of the ways informal caregivers seek advice and offer support to one another provides insight into the challenges they face.