Internet sites offering adolescents help with headache, abdominal pain, and dysmenorrhoea: A description of content, quality, and peer interactions

Ellen M Henderson, Benjamin A Rosser, Edmund Keogh, Christopher Eccleston

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Objective: sTo analyze content and quality of headache, abdominal pain, and dysmenorrhoea websites, and to thematically analyze online pain forums. Methods: Websites offering support, advice, or information regarding pain were explored. Websites were analyzed quantitatively using the Health-Related Website Evaluation Form and the DISCERN scale. Websites containing forum functions were thematically analysed assessing how the Internet is used for support and advice. Results: 63 websites were included. Few websites scored in the upper quartiles of scores on the measures. 7 websites contained supportive posts, pertaining only to dysmenorrhoea. The ways users cope and the coping judgements of other forum users are presented thematically. 3 themes emerged: (1) passively engaged postings, (2) actively engaged postings, and (3) reactively engaged postings. Conclusions: Internet pain resources are of low quality and questionable value in providing help to adolescents. Future research should explore how to improve quality. © 2011 The Author. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. All rights reserved.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)262-271
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Pediatric Psychology
Volume37
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2012

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