JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

This paper identifies and examines pathways by which online peer support mental health forums assist in building the resilience of rural residents by addressing individual challenges with mental health. We accomplish this by using a resilience theory, developing a Theoretical Resilience Framework and applying it to empirical qualitative data from three Australian online health forums as well as interviews with rural forum users. Using thematic analysis and an abductive approach to generating new knowledge, we develop a logic model illustrating links between factors influencing personal resilience, enabling features and spaces facilitating resilience, resilience resources generated through the intervention and its outcomes. Our study demonstrates that online forums make valuable contributions to ongoing and timely support services to rural people experiencing mental ill-health as well as support them to cope with stressors and a range of challenges (i.e., resilience). Embedded in a rural setting, the paper adds to the understanding of the role of online forums in addressing geographical isolation. Ultimately, our work helps to develop new sources of knowledge about rural resilience and supporting mental health service provision in rural places.