Understanding the Needs of Moderators in Online Mental Health Forums: Realist Synthesis and Recommendations for Support.

ABSTRACT:

Background

There has been an increase in the use of online mental health forums to support mental health. These forums are often moderated by trained moderators to ensure a safe, therapeutic environment. While the moderator role is rewarding, it can also be challenging. There is a need to understand the impact of the role on moderators and how they can best be supported to maintain psychological well-being.

Objective

This study aimed to understand how, why, and in what contexts moderator well-being is affected by the moderator role and produce actionable recommendations for how moderators can best be supported to maintain workplace psychological well-being.

Methods

We conducted realist synthesis of (1) published and gray literature from 2019 to 2023, (2) stakeholder i

SUBMITTER: Robinson H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12514405 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature