%0 Journal Article
%@ 1438-8871
%I JMIR Publications
%V 25
%N 
%P e36964
%T The Empowering Role of Web-Based Help Seeking on Depressive Symptoms: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
%A Bizzotto,Nicole
%A Marciano,Laura
%A de Bruijn,Gert-Jan
%A Schulz,Peter Johannes
%+ Università della Svizzera italiana, Via Buffi 13, Lugano, 6900, Switzerland, 41 58 666 4724, peter.schulz@usi.ch
%K web-based help-seeking
%K support groups
%K depressive symptoms
%K internet
%K mental health
%K empowerment
%D 2023
%7 2.2.2023
%9 Review
%J J Med Internet Res
%G English
%X Background: Most research on web-based help seeking for mental health problems has focused on the antecedents of this behavior. Therefore, little is known about the outcomes of web-based help seeking in general or in specific mental health issues. Objective: This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on the antecedents and consequences of web-based help-seeking behaviors for depressive symptoms. Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out in 6 scientific databases, leading to 48 studies (for a total of 314,921 participants) included in the qualitative synthesis and 19 included in the meta-analysis. Results: The results indicated a positive relationship between depressive symptoms and web-based help-seeking behaviors through online support groups (r=0.089; P=.009), and Generation Z (r=0.102; P=.008) tended to participate in support groups more than previous generations. In addition, web-based help seeking was positively related to empowerment (r=0.245; P=.004). Other forms of support reported included the internet and specific self-help tools, but no significant relationships were found with depressive symptoms. Conclusions: More studies examining the outcomes are needed, together with a more rigorous assessment of web-based help-seeking behaviors. Ultimately, we propose a summary framework for the literature on this topic, including the antecedents, patterns of use, and outcomes of web-based help seeking in the context of depressive symptoms. 
%M 36729571
%R 10.2196/36964
%U https://www.jmir.org/2023/1/e36964
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/36964
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36729571