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Children's experiences with chat support and telephone support
Ruben G Fukkink1, Jo M A Hermanns
1SCO-Kohnstamm Instituut, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. r.g.fukkink@uva.nl
Online chat and telephone support services for children both improve well-being and reduce problems. The study found the online chat service slightly more effective than telephone support for children seeking help.
Area of Science:
- Child psychology
- Digital mental health services
- Online counseling effectiveness
Background:
- Children's support services are increasingly offering online chat options alongside traditional telephone lines.
- This reflects a broader trend of internet-based support accessibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of online chat versus telephone support for children.
- To assess the impact of these services on children's well-being and problem severity.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study of the Dutch Kindertelefoon's telephone and online chat services.
- Utilized pretest-posttest design (n=902) and a follow-up Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (n=213).
Main Results:
- Both services improved children's sense of well-being and reduced problem severity.
- Online chat showed slightly more favorable outcomes compared to telephone support.
- Follow-up data indicated many users experience severe emotional difficulties.
Conclusions:
- Telephone and web-based support significantly enhance children's well-being and decrease perceived problems.
- Highlights the need for integrated services between child helplines and mental health/welfare organizations.
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