Online social support groups

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Tanis
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Consequences ◽  
The Body ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Online Social Support ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Computer Mediated

To give and receive social support is an important aspect of social interaction, and since the Internet has become more and more integrated with everyday life, it is no surprise that much social support is exchanged online. Features of computer-mediated communication (CMC) offer possibilities for social support in a manner that would be less easy or even impossible in a face-to-face context. This article focuses on three key elements that are often mentioned when social consequences of CMC are discussed: the possibility to communicate relatively anonymously, the text-based character, and the opportunities it provides for expanding social networks without being hindered by time and space barriers. It addresses how these may affect support seeking, and argues that interacting in online social support groups holds great potential for people who seek support, but may also contain some potential hazards. However, even though the body of research is growing, we still know fairly little about how online social-support groups affect the well-being of people who are in need of support.

Through a Screen Darkly: Use of Computer-Mediated Communication Predicts Emotional Functioning

2019 ◽  
Vol 123 (6) ◽  
pp. 2305-2332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Myruski ◽  
Jean M. Quintero ◽  
Samantha Denefrio ◽  
Tracy A. Dennis-Tiwary
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Emotional Functioning ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Emotion Detection ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Facebook Use

Despite the pervasive use of computer-mediated communication, relatively little is known about its implications for emotional adjustment. Recent studies suggest that a preference for computer-mediated communication over other types of communication is associated with emotional vulnerabilities, and its active forms (e.g., direct communication) confer psychosocial benefits compared its passive forms (e.g., browsing Facebook). In this study, we simultaneously examined quality, quantity, and preferences for computer-mediated communication in relation to emotional competencies (emotion detection and regulation) and emotional well-being (self-report of mood and anxiety symptoms). In Study 1, participants ( N = 123) completed a facial morphing task, a computerized assessment of the speed and accuracy of emotion detection, and the Social Media and Communication Questionnaire assessing quantity and preferences to communicate via computer-mediated communication versus face-to-face. More use of computer-mediated communication along with preferring it for casual communication, was associated with faster and more accurate emotion detection. More use of computer-mediated communication, along with preferring it for positive communication and expressing distress, was associated with more difficulties with emotion regulation. Study 2 ( N = 32) added a task-based assessment of active and passive Facebook use in relation to measures of emotional functioning in Study 1. More active Facebook use was associated with greater emotional well-being, whereas more passive Facebook use was associated with less emotional well-being. Active and passive Facebook use was not significantly associated with self-report of broader computer-mediated communication preferences. Together, results suggest that greater use and preference for computer-mediated versus face-to-face communication may be related to heightened emotional sensitivity and more problems with emotion regulation, yet active versus passive use may serve to bolster emotional well-being.

The effect of informal social support: Face-to-face versus computer-mediated communication

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 1806-1814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Lewandowski ◽  
Benjamin D. Rosenberg ◽  
M. Jordan Parks ◽  
Jason T. Siegel
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Informal Social Support ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Computer Mediated

scholarly journals Language Style Matching as a Predictor of Perceived Social Support in Computer-Mediated Interaction Among Individuals Coping With Illness

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 694-712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen A. Rains
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Online Support Groups ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Language Style ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Reported Study ◽  
Coping With Illness ◽  
Language Style Matching

Several forms of computer-mediated communication (e.g., online support groups, blogs, social network sites) have been shown to be important resources for social support among individuals coping with illness. The reported study attempts to better understand social support processes in these settings by examining the implications of language style matching—a form of interpersonal coordination involving the degree to which speakers match one another’s use of function words (e.g., articles, prepositions, pronouns). Language style matching among a sample of health bloggers and their readers over a 3-month period was tested as a predictor of bloggers’ perceptions of support available from their readers. The results show that language style matching contributed to bloggers’ perceptions that their readers are willing and able to serve as a resource for specific forms of social support.

Put the Phone Down

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 702-710 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kostadin Kushlev ◽  
Samantha J. Heintzelman
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Complementarity Hypothesis ◽  
Interference Hypothesis

If there ever was a key to happiness, this key would open a door that leads straight to a rich social life. And in the era of smartphones, this key to social connection is in our pockets anytime and anywhere. Or is it? Using the experience sampling method (ESM), we explore the use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) in the context of face-to-face (FtF) social interactions, testing two competing hypotheses: (1) a complementarity hypothesis stating that more channels of communication should be associated with higher well-being and (2) an interference hypothesis stating that FtF interactions could be impoverished by adding computer-mediated channels of communication. We surveyed 174 millennials ( Mage = 19.28; range: 17–22) 5 times a day over a period of a week (4,508 episodes). When participants reported a mix of CMC and FtF socializing in the same episode, they felt worse and less connected than when solely interacting FtF.

Computer-mediated communication (CMC) and social support

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 1186-1205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen A. Rains ◽  
Steven R. Brunner ◽  
Chelsie Akers ◽  
Corey A. Pavlich ◽  
Selin Goktas
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Informational Support ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Message Type ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
The Face

Despite the growth in research examining the use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) for exchanging social support, there remains much to learn about the support-related implications of CMC. An experiment was conducted to examine the influence of the reduced social cues associated with CMC on the outcomes of supportive interaction. Participants discussed a stressor with a confederate either face-to-face or via CMC and received informational or emotional support. Although they received the exact same support messages, participants in the CMC condition reported significantly greater worry and uncertainty discrepancy following the interaction than participants in the face-to-face condition. A main effect was also found for support message type. Consistent with the optimal matching model, informational support led to more beneficial outcomes than emotional support in response to the (controllable) stressor experienced by participants.

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