Professionally Moderated,Psychoeducational, Web-Based Support for Women Living with HIV: An Exploratory Study |
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| Authors: | Monica A. Ghabrial Catherine C. Classen Julie D. Maggi |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada;2. Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco and Zuckerberg San Francisco Geeral Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA;3. Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada;4. Women’s College Research Institute, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada;5. St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada |
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| Abstract: | Women living with HIV (WLWH) face stress and stigma due to their HIV status, and web-based support groups may provide a beneficial means for connection and education. This paper presents an exploratory study examining the feasibility and potential benefits of a professionally moderated, psychoeducational, web-based support group for WLWH. Ten women participated and the average number of weekly posts was 13.38. Active participants were more likely to be White and have a history of suicidality/self-harm. Findings suggest that future implementations may lead to improvements in depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic growth. Results substantiate prior research and provide a foundation for future interventions. |
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| Keywords: | HIV/AIDS program evaluation psychoeducation social support women’s health web-based interventions |
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