About
The Research
Information about the research
You are being invited to participate in a research study which focuses on evaluating the effect of online peer support on depressive symptoms in young adults.
Why is this study being conducted?
This study is being conducted so that we can gain some knowledge of what may help young adults aged between 18 and 24 years who are experiencing depressive symptoms to cope. The aim of this web site is to help support you.
What is the web site about?
This website will provide you with the opportunity to interact with people who are experiencing similar difficulties to yourself through the use of a forum. The website will also provide you with information on depression and links to further support.
How do I go about using the site?
In order to use the site the following must apply to you:
- You are currently living in Ireland
- You are currently a student at University College Cork
- You are currently aged between 18 and 24 years
- You currently feel low in mood
If you fit these criteria then you can register to use the website. The first thing you will be asked is to give your consent to use your data in the study. You can view this consent form before you progress. It is advisable that you print the page and the consent form for your records. After you give consent you will be asked to complete a questionnaire to determine your current mood level. If you score within the range that indicates you may be experiencing depressive symptoms you will then be asked to provide some personal details such as your gender and age. This data will only be available to the researcher; it will not be shared with anyone else. Following this you will be asked to provide a user name (pseudonym to protect your anonymity), password and email address. To register you must provide your UCC student email address, this is to ensure only young people studying at UCC can participate in the research. A confirmation email will be sent to your student email address. You will need your user name and password every time you log into the site. You will then be free to use the website as often as you wish. The study period lasts for 6 weeks; however you may continue to use the website until the end of term.
What will the study involve for me?
The study will involve completing a questionnaire in relation to your mood before entering the website and following 6 weeks of usage. This is to see if your mood is changing over time. An email will be sent to remind you to complete the questionnaire. The comments you make and interactions you have in the forums may also be analysed so that we can gain a better understanding of your progress. As you will be using a pseudonym, again, no one will know your real identity.
Are there any risks involved?
There are no clearly identifiable risks to you in partaking in this study. The researcher will monitor the website to ensure that everybody is using it in the way that it was designed so that it provides as supportive an environment for you as possible. You can withdraw from the study at any time if you change your mind.
What are the benefits for me?
Partaking in this study will allow you the opportunity to gain support with your current mood state.
What about confidentiality?
As previously mentioned, only the researcher and site designer will have access to your information. The site designer has signed a confidentiality agreement so he cannot disclose any information. As with any website there is the potential for people to ‘hack’ into the site, reliable software has been installed to minimise the possibility of this happening. There is only one instance where confidentiality will be broken, that is if you are threatening to harm yourself or others, if this happens I will contact you by email.
If you require any further information before considering taking part in this study please do not hesitate to contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The Researcher
My name is Aine Horgan and I am a lecturer and PhD student in the School of Nursing and Midwifery in University College Cork. I am a qualified Psychiatric Nurse and have 10 years clinical experience of working with people experiencing low mood. I have been lecturing in University College Cork since 2004 and have been involved in various research projects in the past. I am conducting this research as part of my PhD studies.
I believe that you are the expert on understanding how you feel, however there may be others who are experiencing similar difficulties as yourself. This website is designed to allow you a safe environment to interact with others who may be facing similar difficulties. If you have any questions about me or this study please don’t hesitate to email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
