In writing a while back about divisions in the adoption world, I mentioned the popular tendency for those of a negative outlook to flock together, given that misery really does love company.

The ubiquitous "support group", of which Yahoo lists somewhere around 30,000 of the online variety, although usually inspired by the concepts of mutual aid and fellowship, is sometimes observed to have morphed into little more than a vent vehicle and rant-fest.

Although venting and ranting can feel good, new research is suggesting that the practice of may not be all that good for the soul or the mind.

Girls, especially ... and women account for the bulk of online group participation ... who participate in "co-rumination" -- excessively discussing problems with friends -- are, according to researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia, increasing their anxiety and depression as they share.

The researchers looked at girls and boys in 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th grades, and what they found was that although boys were immune from the effects, girls strengthened friendships by sharing problems, but increased their anxiety and depression in the process.

Dr. John T. Walkup, associate professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital, put it this way:

"Ineffective complaining is sign of depression and anxiety rather than a major cause," he said. "Over time, ineffective complaining can add to the burden of depression as people feel more helpless and less well understood."

Problem solving, discussion leading eventually to solutions, does not have the same negative impact constant circular conversation of the unfixable does.

"The danger is when the discussion between these girls is negative and destructive and is lacking the discussion of effective coping," said Cynthia Thomae, crisis response chair of the Arizona School Counselors Association.

Although this study focuses on kids, is it possible that active and ongoing participation by adults in groups where the common tie is regret or resentment over circumstances that cannot be altered is actually damaging the people involved? Could the feelings arising spur even more 'co-rumination' and result in a "vicious cycle of despair"?

Could it be that soon we will be forced to acknowledge that this aspect of the power of the Internet ... years of ever-growing populations turning daily to groups brought together through a desire to validate anguish and forums where like-minded individuals suffer together and foster each other's pain ... has been a less than completely positive innovation?