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Table 1 Data from two internet support groups (percentages)

From: A survey of participants in two internet support groups for people with hair-pulling

 

Telemailer

Trichees

chi-square

p-values

Gender distribution

    

Females

91.2

100

0.985

ns

Males

8.8

0

  

Interest in TTM

    

I have TTM

85.9

87.5

3.647

ns

My child has TTM

8.7

8.3

  

Significant other has TTM

1.8

0

  

My friend has TTM

1.8

0

  

My child and I have TTM

1.8

0

  

Significant other and I have TTM

0

4.2

  

Mental health professional

0

0

  

Diagnosis and treatment of TTM

    

Professionally diagnosed

61.4

70.8

3.635

ns

Not professionally diagnosed

38.6

29.2

  

Treated previously, not presently

38.6

41.7

  

Treated previously and presently

22.8

37.5

  

Never been professionally treated

38.6

20.8

  

Means of discovering support group

    

Surfing the internet

68.5

91.7

5.402

ns

Support group members

7

0

  

Psychologist

3.5

0

  

Allied mental health professional

1.8

0

  

Friend

1.8

0

  

Family member/ significant other

1.8

0

  

Additional resources

15.6

8.3

  

Length of time belonging to group

    

More than 12 months

63.1

8.3

29.951

<0.001

6 – 12 months

12.3

20.8

  

3 – 6 months

8.8

33.3

  

1 – 3 months

12.3

8.3

  

1 week to 1 month

3.5

12.5

  

Less than 1 week

0

16.7

  

Frequency read and/or respond to messages

    

More than once a day

8.8

8.3

4.676

ns

Once a day

26.3

41.7

  

Less than once a day

15.8

20.8

  

Weekly

19.3

25

  

Monthly

14

0

  

Time spend making use of support group

    

Less than one hour per week

45.6

16.7

6.182

ns

1 – 2 hours per week

31.6

50

  

2 – 5 hours per week

15.8

25

  

More than 5 hours per week

7

8.3

  

Seeking professional help

    

Support group was very helpful

10.5

15.5

6.548

ns

Only somewhat helpful

26.3

16.7

  

Somewhat helpful

8.8

8.3

  

Unhelpful

26.3

8.3

  

Already sought professional help

28.1

54.2

  

The John Kender Diet

    

Attempted, with good results

33.3

0

18.195

<0.001

Attempted, without good results

19.3

12.5

  

Did not attempt the diet

45.6

66.7

  

Never heard about the diet

1.8

20.8

  

The Fish Oil Diet

    

Attempted, with good results

0

10

4.600

ns

Attempted, without good results

9.1

40

  

Did not attempt the diet

81.8

40

  

Never heard about the diet

9.1

10

  

Mislead by information from support group

    

Yes

12.3

4.2

2.480

ns

Maybe

8.8

4.2

  

I don't think so

54.4

70.8

  

No

24.6

20.8

  

Helpfulness to family and friends

    

Support group was helpful

40.4

33.3

2.004

ns

Support group was unhelpful

19.3

25

  

Did not share TTM

31.6

37.5

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