I think you are probably right. IMVU is skewed to a young audience. Perhaps because they do not experience as many people close to them dying, there is not as great a need for formal bereavement groups. (As a population, an individual youngster may indeed need and benefit from a bereavement group.)

And, as you note, many youth experience mental disorders, so there are enough of them to create a need. The recent report showing nearly half of college age people have experienced a psychiatric disorder in the last year, makes the point. C Blanco, et al. 2008*

Interestingly that same report says that only 25% sought treatment. Perhaps that is reflected in the more informal chat groups on IMVU and not more formal ‘treatment’ based groups.

*http://tinyurl.com/5omf5o

Once again, you’re doing some very interesting and trailblazing research.

Why IMVU users have so few bereavement groups, but so many mental health? You’ve indicated the younger age of IMVU users. Might it be that bereavement is much less of an issue for the vast majority of youngest, while national studies continue to reflect increasing rates of mental health problems for youth?

- Ed

That would have been an interesting thesis for sure.

I am a bit curious about the few disability groups/members as well. It would be interesting to add the SL TeenGrid into the SL stats. That might be a better demographic comparison.

I do think there is something to the higher mobility/activities in SL that would make it more attractive to those in the disability community. But I’d really like to have direct evidence.

However, based on this, if I knew someone in the disabled community, I would recommend SL higher than an IMVU type of world (all other things being equal.)

For my BA thesis, I researched the therapeutic potential of Second Life. It was fascinating project to be involved with — thus I am very interested in the work you are doing.

In my research, I also found an overwhelming focus on Mental Health groups.

I find it particularly interesting though that you found a smaller population of disabled users in IMVU compared to Second Life. I believe that speaks a ton to the graphical benefit of avatar mobility. I wonder if that is a similar trend among other virtual worlds.

Great Work! I am Chronos Laval in SL, let’s chat sometime.