Posted by Dr. Bob on August 24, 2004, at 13:05:52
In reply to Re: possible publication - questions » Dr. Bob, posted by JenStar on August 24, 2004, at 1:01:38
> Did behavior change on the board AS A RESULT OF the suicide? For example, did people become more empathetic, more compassionate, more worried if suicidal posters took unannounced 'breaks', etc?
Good question. But to answer it, there would need to be a way to measure empathy, compassion, worry, etc.
> I was interested in your comment that guilt was "diffused" -- is that compared to a peer group who know each other IRL? Would you say it is diffused because of the emotional (and obviously physical) distance conferred by the electronic media?
I meant in a group as opposed to one-on-one. IMO BTW, electronic communication doesn't necessarily lead to emotional distance. On the contrary, people can feel safer, open up more, and get emotionally closer.
> In general, do you find that this group of people behave similarly to a therapeutic group (albeit larger and less organized) IRL?
Another good question. I don't have a lot of experience with groups IRL. And I don't know if there are any this large and disorganized! :-)
> Do you think that it is possible or probable that a suicide could be prevented or encouraged by posts on this (or any) board?
Sure.
> Did you see evidence that this suicide was delayed or hastened by the person's interactions here?
In an individual case, how can anyone know what might have been?
Bob
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:368193
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20040717/msgs/381740.html