Community Support

A Tale of Two Networks: Possibilities and Perils for Mental Health Internet Discussion Groups

This working paper was condensed and edited by H. Stephen Leff, Ph.D. and Lawrence Woocher from a Masters Thesis written by Nils Fonstad for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The comparison of both the Evaluation Center@HSRI listservs was requested by Dr. Leff, the Center's Director, and the listserv messages were archived by the Center. Mr. Fonstad designed and implemented the comparison and conducted all interviews. This work and additional theoretical and interpretive materials are described in detail in his Masters Thesis available from Mr. Fonstad c/o MIT Sloan School of Management, E53-324, 50 Memorial Dr., Cambridge, MA 02139. His thesis advisor was Dr. Wanda Orlikowski of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Paul Brule assisted with editing.

September 1998

Table of Contents

Abstract
Introduction
Methods
    Subjects
    Data Sources
    Methods of Analysis
Results
    Original Goal of List
    Membership
    Reasons for Subscribing and Continued Membership
    Content
    Patterns of Participation
    Modes of Expressing and Managing Conflict
    The Role of the Chair
    Summary
Discussion
    Analysis of List Dynamics
    Role of the List Moderators
    Implications for Managing Mental Health Electronic Discussion Lists
References