|
Background
The Internet is a growing factor in the lives of young people,
and as it occupies more time and energy in their lives, it is likely
becoming a growing factor in the distress and well-being of this
population. Mental health
and victim service professionals, such as victim advocates, crisis
intervention specialists, counselors, clinicians, and social workers
have an important and unique view of the lives and experiences of
youth and adults. Their perspectives and insights into these
populations may reveal occurrences and aspects of problematic Internet
experiences, such as the nature of its impact and the reactions
of individuals, which may not be revealed from other perspectives. In order to develop a more complete understanding about problematic
Internet experiences and its impact, it is valuable to assess the
experiences and needs of mental health and victim service professionals
so they can effectively recognize and treat these experiences.
Goals and Objectives
- To
identify characteristics of problematic Internet experiences coming
to the attention of mental health and victim service professionals
including victim advocates, crisis intervention specialists, counselors,
clinicians, and social workers;
- To identify the types of professionals working
with problematic Internet experiences;
- To assess the needs of professionals regarding
the recognition and treatment of problematic Internet experiences;
- To provide data about the impact of problematic
Internet experiences; and
- To formulate recommendations and guidelines
from these findings and disseminate them to practitioners and
policy makers
Methodology
This study will use mail surveys to gather quantitative and
qualitative data from mental health and victim service professionals
about their needs and experiences with problematic Internet experiences. An initial postcard will be sent to professionals
who belong to a variety of different professional organizations to
determine whether they have worked with clients with problematic Internet
experiences. Professionals
who have dealt with this topic will then be sent a detailed survey
about these youth, along with questions about their own needs associated
with Internet victimization cases.
In order to more completely measure professionals’ own Internet
use and needs associated with problematic Internet experiences, a
sub-sample of professionals who have not dealt with these types of
cases will be sent a shorter survey asking about their own use, experiences
and needs. The detailed survey
may be completed by regular mail or through a secure website.
For more information, contact:
Kimberly Mitchell, Ph.D.
Family Research Lab
University of New Hampshire
7 Leavitt Lane
Durham, NH 03824-3586
Ph: (603)862-4533
Fax: (603)862-1122
E-mail: Kimberly.Mitchell@unh.edu
|
