The role of social technologies in community care – A realist evaluation of a Danish web-based citizen-to-citizen platform adopted in community care to promote belonging and mental health

Abstract

As social technologies increase in popularity, there is a growing interest in incorporating them into mental health interventions. Research shows that the use of social technologies may support belonging and mental health. Findings, however, are contradictory and highlight the need to clarify the processes and mechanisms by which this technology may have positive effects. This study conducted a realist evaluation of a web-based citizen-to-citizen platform adopted within community care in a Danish Municipality. It focused on how, for whom and under what circumstances the web-based platform worked to promote belonging and mental health. The evaluation was structured in subsequent phases of dev..