Abstract
BackgroundThe use of peer-to-peer online support groups and communities has grown into a social phenomenon. Many people use online support groups and communities to seek and provide social support. It is essential to examine how users’ participation behaviors may contribute to different outcomes.ObjectiveThis study aimed to (1) use the structural positions of online depression forum users in their reply network to predict received support and (2) examine their language use reflecting their health conditions.MethodsA total of 2061 users and their 62,274 replies posted on a depression forum from July 2004 to July 2014 were extracted using a web crawler written in Python. The content of the forum users’ posts and replies and their reply patterns were examined. A social network analysis method was used to build the reply networks of users. The computerized text analysis method was used to measure features of the forum users’ language styles.ResultsForum users’ bridging social capital (operationalized as network betweenness) was positively associated with the level of communication accommodation in their received replies (P=.04). Forum users’ bonding social capital (operationalized as network constraint) was negatively associated with the level of communication accommodation in their received replies (P<.001). The forum users’ change in their use of self-referent words and words expressing negative emotions were examined as linguistic proxies for their health conditions and mental states. The results revealed a general negative association between the number of received replies and the degree of decrease in the use of words expressing negative emotion (P=.007).ConclusionsThe structural positions of online depression forum users in the reply network are associated with different participation outcomes in the users. Thus, receiving replies can be beneficial to online depression forum users.
Highlights
Social capital, broadly defined as the potential benefits one receives from relationships with others, is a well-researched concept in many social science disciplines
The structural positions of online depression forum users in the reply network are associated with different participation outcomes in the users
Drawing on the buffering effect model and self-awareness theory of depression, this study examines the health benefits resulting from receiving social support by monitoring the changes in depression forum users’ language use over time
Summary
Background Social capital, broadly defined as the potential benefits one receives from relationships with others, is a well-researched concept in many social science disciplines. With the popularity of internet technologies and social networking sites, a growing number of people are turning to web-based venues to seek social https://www.jmir.org/2020/6/e17365 XSLFO RenderX. Social support can be viewed as a product resulting from the interpersonal relationships that constitute a support network. A unique feature of seeking and providing social support online is that individuals have more opportunities to communicate with others who share similar experiences and greater access to weak-tie networks [5]. The social capital and weak-tie network theories have been adopted to explain why and how individuals may benefit differently from participating in online support groups [6,7]. The use of peer-to-peer online support groups and communities has grown into a social phenomenon. Many people use online support groups and communities to seek and provide social support. It is essential to examine how users’ participation behaviors may contribute to different outcomes
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
