User Experiences of Social Support From Companion Chatbots in Everyday Contexts: Thematic Analysis

Background Previous research suggests that artificial agents may be a promising source of social support for humans. However, the bulk of this research has been conducted in the context of social support interventions that specifically address stressful situations or health improvements. Little research has examined social support received from artificial agents in everyday contexts. Objective Considering that social support manifests in not only crises but also everyday situations and that everyday social support forms the basis of support received during more stressful events, we aimed to investigate the types of everyday social support that can be received from artificial agents. Methods In Study 1, we examined publicly available user reviews (N=1854) of Replika, a popular companion chatbot. In Study 2, a sample (n=66) of Replika users provided detailed open-ended responses regarding their experiences of using Replika. We conducted thematic analysis on both datasets to gain insight into the kind of everyday social support that users receive through interactions with Replika. Results Replika provides some level of companionship that can help curtail loneliness, provide a “safe space” in which users can discuss any topic without the fear of judgment or retaliation, increase positive affect through uplifting and nurturing messages, and provide helpful information/advice when normal sources of informational support are not available. Conclusions Artificial agents may be a promising source of everyday social support, particularly companionship, emotional, informational, and appraisal support, but not as tangible support. Future studies are needed to determine who might benefit from these types of everyday social support the most and why. These results could potentially be used to help address global health issues or other crises early on in everyday situations before they potentially manifest into larger issues.

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Exploring behaviours perceived as important for human—dog bonding and their translation to a robotic platform

10.31234/osf.io/5xds4 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Katie Riddoch ◽

Roxanne Hawkins ◽

Emily S. Cross

Keyword(s):

Thematic Analysis ◽

Social Bonds ◽

Artificial Agents ◽

Robotic Platform ◽

Pet Dogs ◽

Potential Barriers ◽

Physical Affection ◽

Social Robotic ◽

Insight Into

To facilitate long-term engagement with social robots, emerging evidence suggests that modelling robots on social animals with whom many people form enduring social bonds – specifically, pet dogs – may be useful. However, scientific understanding of the features of pet dogs that are important for establishing and maintaining social bonds remains limited to broad qualities that are liked, as opposed to specific behaviours. To better understand dog behaviours that are perceived as important for facilitating social bonds between owner and pet, we surveyed current dog owners (n = 153) with open-ended questions about their dogs’ behaviours. Thematic analysis identified 7 categories of behaviours perceived as important to human-dog bonding, including: 1) attunement, 2) communication, 3) consistency and predictability, 4) physical affection, 5) positivity and enthusiasm, 6) proximity, and 7) shared activities. We consider the feasibility of translating these behaviours into a social robotic platform, and signpost potential barriers moving forward. In addition to providing insight into important behaviours for human—dog bonding, this work provides a springboard for those hoping to implement dog behaviours into animal-like artificial agents designed for social roles.

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Smoking Behavior, Social Support, and Cessation Motivation in Smoking Among Health Sciences’ Students

Jurnal Keperawatan ◽

10.22219/jk.v11i2.12654 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Nur Melizza ◽

Anggraini Dwi Kurnia ◽

Nur Lailatul Masruroh ◽

Indrasari Dwi Yulianti

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Smoking Habit ◽

Smoking Behavior ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Health Sciences ◽

Appraisal Support ◽

Health Sciences Students ◽

Tangible Support ◽

High Level

ABSTRACT Introduction: Many students have been accustomed to smoking, including those majoring at health sciences. Theoretically, they are supposed to be the ones who are actively aware of some possible health damages caused by smoking habit. Thus, people around them play an essential role in taking control of someone’s pattern through social support, especially over those who are highly motivated to quit smoking. Objective: This study aimed to identify smoking behavior, social support, and cessation motivation in smoking among health sciences’ students. Methods: This research was categorized as observational-descriptive one, with the use of accidental sampling technique to recruit as many as 63 students of faculty of health sciences who were defined as active smokers. The data, furthermore, were collected by means of a questionnaire. At last, a statistical-descriptive analysis was used to evaluate the data. Result: The result was most of the involved respondents were shown to have a moderate trend of smoking (65%). On the other hand, the majority of the respondents had been supported through some types of social support with relatively high percentage, to name appraisal support (indicating 71%), tangible support (indicating 87%), self-esteem support (indicating 97%), and belonging support (indicating 92%). Moreover, most of the respondents were equipped by the high level of quittance motivation from smoking, signifying 71%. Discussion: This research had indicated that the level of smoking habit perceived by the respondents was moderate. In short, appraisal support was defined as high, tangible support low, self-esteem support high, and belonging support high. In addition, some of the respondents had demonstrated a high level of quittance motivation from smoking

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How Does Health Information Influence African American Men’s Health Behavior?

American Journal of Men s Health ◽

10.1177/1557988311426910 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 156-163 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Derek M. Griffith ◽

Katrina R. Ellis ◽

Julie Ober Allen

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

African American ◽

Health Information ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Health Professionals ◽

African American Men ◽

Medical Professionals ◽

Common Source ◽

Health Issues ◽

Healthy Behaviors

Few researchers have examined where African American men obtain, process, and use health information. A thematic analysis of data from eighteen exploratory focus groups conducted with 154 urban African American men aged 32 years and older revealed that men received health information from a variety of sources, including health professionals, media, and members of their social networks. At times, information raised their awareness of health issues, but trust in the source of the information influenced how this information was perceived. Medical professionals were the most common source of health information, but family members were the most trusted source of health information. Health problems and social support increased men’s motivation to use health information in order to improve their health and healthy behaviors. These findings illustrate that it is critical to identify factors that influence what information men choose to believe and follow or decide to ignore.

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University Students’ Perceptions of Links Between Substance Use and Mental Health

Emerging Adulthood ◽

10.1177/2167696817748106 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (6) ◽

pp. 399-410 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Amanda Hudson ◽

Kara Thompson ◽

Parnell D. MacNevin ◽

Meredith Ivany ◽

Michael Teehan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Substance Use ◽

University Students ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Issues ◽

Health Concerns ◽

Mental Health Issues ◽

Substance Use Problems ◽

Insight Into

There is a consensus among addictions researchers and clinicians that mental health concerns and substance use problems are often interrelated. It is less clear to what extent the general public, and university students in particular, understand connections between substance use and mental health. The current study aimed to understand university students’ perceived links between substance use and mental health by conducting three semistructured focus groups ( N = 24 participants, 67% female). Thematic analysis of the data yielded five themes: (1) Students use substances to cope with mental health issues, (2) substance use can lead to mental health problems, (3) links between mental health and substance use are cyclical, (4) substance use is an aspect/indicator of mental health, and (5) substance use and mental health are not always linked. Findings provide insight into the understudied area of perceived links between substance use and mental health and have implications for campus programming.

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Peran Trait Kepribadian terhadap Social Support pada Penderita Kanker Leher Rahim

Humanitas (Jurnal Psikologi) ◽

10.28932/humanitas.v3i2.2173 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 155-168

Author(s):

Clara Assisiansi Dewi Dermawan ◽

Lie Fun Fun

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Cervical Cancer ◽

Big Five ◽

Big Five Personality ◽

Individual Response ◽

Multilinear Regression ◽

Contagious Diseases ◽

Appraisal Support ◽

Regression Test ◽

Tangible Support

Based on Data Riset Kesehatan Dasar Indonesia (2013), 65% cases of diseases are caused by non-contagious diseases, one of them is cervical cancer. Individual response to the cancer varies depend on personality and their perception about social support. This study uses McCrae-Costa’s Big Five Personality Theory (2003) and Cohen’s Social Support (2002). Sixty cervical cancer patients, selected by accidental sampling, were given personality and social support questionnaire. Each trait’s score tested its contribution to social support’s score with Multilinear Regression Test by SPPS 20. Agreeableness contributes to perception about appraisal support (F=8.303) and belonging support (F=4.501). Extraversion contributes to perception about appraisal support (F=7.7). Openness to experience contributes to perception about belonging support (F=5.465) and tangible support (F=3.922). Neuroticism and Conscientiousness do not contribute to perception about any social support dimensions. Hopefully this study can be used by the patient’s family, the hospital, and LSM in giving social support and also for the patient to understand about their personality and know what kind of help they do need from people around. Keywords: cervical cancer, big five personality, social support, Multilinear Regression Test

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Player conceptualizations of creativity in digital entertainment games

Convergence The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies ◽

10.1177/1354856519880791 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 26 (5-6) ◽

pp. 1226-1247

Author(s):

Johanna Hall ◽

Ursula Stickler ◽

Christothea Herodotou ◽

Ioanna Iacovides

Keyword(s):

Thematic Analysis ◽

Qualitative Methodology ◽

Research Question ◽

Digital Games ◽

Future Studies ◽

Art Form ◽

Semistructured Interviews ◽

Digital Entertainment ◽

Player Experience ◽

Insight Into

Creativity has been widely studied across various disciplines such as psychology and education from a variety of perspectives and has been argued to provide a range of different benefits such as the development of transferrable skills. However, not much is known about how creativity is conceptualized within digital entertainment games from the perspective of the player. In addition to providing a scoping review of the field, this study aims to address current gaps in the literature by answering the research question: how do players conceptualize creativity within digital entertainment games? Data from 24 semistructured interviews and 14 narrative surveys with regular players of various genres of digital games were analyzed using qualitative methodology. Thematic analysis was performed, resulting in three main categories of conceptualizations: ways of thinking, constructing in games, and games as an art form. By providing an insight into how players view creativity in digital games, this article aims to illuminate this understudied facet of player experience and pave the way for future studies seeking to explore how digital games may promote creativity in those who play them.

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Evaluation of the association between presenteeism and perceived availability of social support among hospital doctors in Zhejiang, China

10.21203/rs.3.rs-18379/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Xiaoyu Xi ◽

Qianni Lu ◽

Mengqing Lu ◽

Ailin Xu ◽

Hao Hu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Data Analysis ◽

Logit Model ◽

Overall Response Rate ◽

Response Rate ◽

Perceived Availability ◽

Appraisal Support ◽

Unit Increase ◽

Tangible Support ◽

Hospital Doctors

Abstract Background: This study investigated the association between presenteeism and the perceived availability of social support among hospital doctors in China. Methods: A questionnaire was administered by doctors randomly selected from 13 hospital in Hangzhou China using stratified sampling. Logit model was used for data analysis. Results: The overall response rate was 88.16%. Among hospital doctors, for each unit increase of the perceived availability of social support, the prevalence of presenteeism was decreased by 8.3% (OR=0.91, P=0.000). In particular, if the doctors perceived availability of appraisal support, belonging support and tangible support as sufficient, the act of presenteeism was reduced by 20.2% (OR=0.806, P=0.000) 20.4% (OR=0.803, P=0.000) and 21.0% (OR=0.799, P=0.000) respectively with statistical differences. Conclusion: In China, appraisal support, belonging support and tangible support, compared to other social support, had a stronger negative correlation with presenteeism among hospital doctors. The benefits of social support in alleviating doctors’ presenteeism warrant further investigation.

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Evaluation of the association between presenteeism and perceived availability of social support among hospital doctors in Zhejiang, China

10.21203/rs.3.rs-18379/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Xiaoyu Xi ◽

Qianni Lu ◽

Mengqing Lu ◽

Ailin Xu ◽

Hao Hu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Data Analysis ◽

Logit Model ◽

Overall Response Rate ◽

Response Rate ◽

Perceived Availability ◽

Appraisal Support ◽

Unit Increase ◽

Tangible Support ◽

Hospital Doctors

Abstract Objective: This study investigated the association between presenteeism and the perceived availability of social support among hospital doctors in China. Method: A questionnaire was administered by doctors randomly selected from 13 hospital in Hangzhou China using stratified sampling. Logit model was used for data analysis. Results: The overall response rate was 88.16%. Among hospital doctors, for each unit increase of the perceived availability of social support, the prevalence of presenteeism was decreased by 8.3% (OR=0.91, P=0.000). In particular, if the doctors perceived availability of appraisal support, belonging support and tangible support as sufficient, the act of presenteeism was reduced by 20.2% (OR=0.806, P=0.000) 20.4% (OR=0.803, P=0.000) and 21.0% (OR=0.799, P=0.000) respectively with statistical differences. Conclusion: In China, appraisal support, belonging support and tangible support, compared to other social support, had a stronger negative correlation with presenteeism among hospital doctors. The benefits of social support in alleviating doctors’ presenteeism warrant further investigation.

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Evaluation of the association between presenteeism and perceived availability of social support among hospital doctors in Zhejiang, China

10.21203/rs.3.rs-18379/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Xiaoyu Xi ◽

Qianni Lu ◽

Mengqing Lu ◽

Ailin Xu ◽

Hao Hu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Data Analysis ◽

Logit Model ◽

Overall Response Rate ◽

Response Rate ◽

Perceived Availability ◽

Appraisal Support ◽

Unit Increase ◽

Tangible Support ◽

Hospital Doctors

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“So Much of This Story Could Be Me”: Men’s Use of Support in Online Infertility Discussion Boards

American Journal of Men s Health ◽

10.1177/1557988316671460 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 663-673 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Jeremie Richard ◽

Icoquih Badillo-Amberg ◽

Phyllis Zelkowitz

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Online Discussion ◽

Past Research ◽

Discussion Boards ◽

Psychological Consequences ◽

Appraisal Support ◽

The World ◽

Fertility Problems ◽

Similar Experience

Past research has suggested that social support can reduce the negative psychological consequences associated with infertility. Online discussion boards (ODBs) appear to be a novel and valuable venue for men with fertility problems to acquire support from similar others. Research has not employed a social support framework to classify the types of support men are offered and receive. Using template, content, and thematic analysis, this study sought to identify what types of social support men seek and receive on online infertility discussion boards while exploring how men having fertility problems use appraisal support to assist other men. One hundred and ninety-nine unique users were identified on two online infertility discussion boards. Four types of social support (appraisal, emotional, informational, and instrumental) were evident on ODBs, with appraisal support (36%) being used most often to support other men. Within appraisal support, five themes were identified that showed how men communicate this type of support to assist other men: “At the end of the day, we’re all emotionally exhausted”; “So much of this could be me, infertility happens more than you think”; “I’ve also felt like the worst husband in the world”; “It’s just something that nobody ever talks about so it’s really shocking to hear”; “I say this as a man, you’re typing my thoughts exactly.” These findings confirm how ODBs can be used as a potential medium to expand one’s social network and acquire support from people who have had a similar experience.

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