Social support, online social support, and problematic social media use: A three-level meta-analysis.

Abstract Parenting can be emotionally demanding, and the availability of online social support has become an increasingly relevant resource for managing stress and exhaustion. However, it remains unclear how parents utilize online platforms for support and whether these platforms contribute to reducing parental burnout. This study examines the associations between emotional exhaustion, online social support, and perceptions of online support in a sample of 221 parents from the Midwestern U.S., all participants utilized some form of online social support. Regression analyses revealed that, of those that access online social support, stronger positive perceptions of online social support were unexpectedly associated with higher emotional exhaustion. Additionally, regression analysis indicated utilizing online social support was linked to lower emotional exhaustion. Additionally, married parents reported higher emotional exhaustion, while parents employed full-time reported lower levels of emotional exhaustion. These findings contribute to the understanding of how online social support may relate to parental well-being and offer implications for researchers and clinicians working to support parents through digital resources.

IntroductionInternet addiction, a growing issue in young adults post-pandemic, especially among Asian males, is linked to various negative outcomes. Loneliness significantly influences internet addiction, but the underlying psychosocial mechanism remains unclear. This study examined the mediating role of online social support between loneliness and internet addiction with a focus on sex differences.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey of 213 university students (105 males and 108 females), recruited through convenience sampling, examined loneliness, internet addiction, and perceived online social support.Results and discussionNo significant moderation effect of sex on the direct or indirect path between loneliness and internet addition. Perceived online social support partially mediated the positive association between loneliness and internet addiction only in males [standardized β = 0.07, bootstrapped SE = 0.04, bootstrapped 95% CI (0.01, 0.17)], but not in females [β = 0.03, bootstrapped SE = 0.03, bootstrapped 95% CI (−0.02, 0.11)]. On the other hand, perceived online social support was significantly and positively correlated with internet addiction in both sexes [standardized β = 0.27, bootstrapped SE = 0.10, 95% CI (0.07, 0.47)]. Our findings reveal a potential concern of online social support, which could be one of the underlying psychosocial factors contributing to a deeper reliance on the internet and further social withdrawal from the real world in males. This deserves more in-depth investigations regarding the influence of different types of online social support received or perceived through different online platforms and environments. The findings of this study have implications for how online social support is structured for individuals struggling with internet addiction, especially male individuals, and underscore the need for gender-sensitive design in future online support programs.

Virtual hangouts: Exploring student needs through an online social support strategy

This study examines the digital experiences of individuals experiencing homelessness on TikTok, focusing on their usage patterns, challenges, and opportunities for social connection. Through a review of literature and analysis of TikTok content, the study examines how individuals experiencing homelessness use social media, the challenges they encounter, and the potential benefits and risks associated with online engagement. Despite challenges such as network access, device quality, and privacy concerns, homeless individuals navigate digital spaces to share personal stories, seek support, and participate in online communities. The study identifies themes related to digital divide perceptions, survival infrastructuring, social capital building, and health information seeking behaviours among homeless populations on TikTok. Based on these insights, the study proposes platform-level and user-level recommendations to improve the digital experiences of homeless individuals on TikTok, focusing on bandwidth-sensitive design, enhanced privacy controls, and security toolkits. These recommendations aim to promote digital inclusion and support for vulnerable populations in the digital age, contributing to ongoing discussions about equity and social support online.

The rise of social media and online social interaction has significantly contributed to the field of tourism marketing. However, the underlying mechanism of member–member social interactions (M-MSI) in online tourism communities (OTCs) and their emotional benefits remain underexplored. Grounded in social penetration and social exchange theories, this study investigates how the self-driven mechanism of M-MSI, which comprises online social support (OSS), social capital (OSC), and social cohesion (OSN) enhances co-creation experiences (hedonic, social, and cognitive) fosters brand love. An analysis of survey data from 535 Chinese OTCs members using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) revealed that OSS promoted OSC and OSN, with OSC further facilitating OSN. Moreover, high-quality M-MSI significantly strengthens brand love through co-creation experiences, a relationship positively moderated by affordances. Additionally, a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was used to identify six configurational paths to brand love, supplementing linear model limitations. These findings expand the understanding of OTCs experience management and underscore the marketing potential of sustained emotional value co-creation through optimized M-MSI.

This study aims to analyze the behavior of millennial mothers in undergoing pregnancy and postpartum in the digital era, by highlighting the role of technology as a source of information as well as a space for social interaction. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, data was obtained through in-depth interviews, limited observations, and literature review, then analyzed with thematic techniques. The results of the study show that digital media is the main source of knowledge, a means of social support, as well as a stage for self-expression for millennial mothers. Access to digital information provides benefits in the form of increased health literacy and confidence, but also poses the risk of information overload and anxiety due to exposure to invalid information. Online support has been shown to increase emotional resilience, but it does not completely replace real support from spouses and families. Social media on the other hand presents motivation, but also psychological distress through social comparisons that can trigger postpartum depression. Socio-economic factors also determine the quality of access to information, with mothers from the upper middle class benefiting more from premium apps, while lower-middle class groups are vulnerable to misinformation. The novelty of this research lies in the integration of pregnancy and postpartum analysis in the framework of digital literacy, online social support, and mental health, thereby enriching the study of maternal health behavior in the digital era. These findings are expected to be the basis for the development of intervention strategies that are more effective, humane, and adaptive to the needs of the millennial generation.

With the global aging population rapidly increasing, video games have emerged as a potential tool for enhancing the well-being of older adults. Drawing on socioemotional selectivity theory and the social convoy model, this study examined the social motivations driving older gamers and their relationship with well-being, emphasizing the mediating roles of social interactions (both online and offline) and social support (both online and offline). Data were collected through an online survey from 315 older gamers (44.4% female, Mage = 64.95) in China. The results indicated that social interaction and family bonding motive was positively related to both online and offline interaction. Online interactions were positively associated with both online and offline social support, while offline interactions were positively associated with offline social support. Online support was negatively associated with negative affect. Offline support was positively associated with life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect. The significance and limitations were discussed.

BackgroundSports specialty students in China face unique “dual stress” from academic demands and athletic training, intensified by cultural values and societal expectations. This stress contributes to elevated suicidal ideation, with limited understanding of how online social support (OSS) and psychological resilience mediate these relationships, particularly across genders.ObjectiveTo investigate the tripartite relationship among academic-training dual stress, OSS, and suicidal ideation, with psychological resilience as a mediator, and to analyze gender-specific differences.MethodsA sample of 1,460 sports specialty students (60% male, 40% female) completed surveys assessing stress, resilience, OSS, and suicidal ideation. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and gender-stratified regression analyses tested mediation and moderation effects.ResultsDual stress positively predicted suicidal ideation, partially mediated by reduced psychological resilience (β = −0.220*** for males, β = −0.180*** for females). OSS buffered this relationship, with stronger moderating effects for females via emotional support (β = −0.330***) and males via instrumental support (β = −0.370***). Gender differences emerged in stress exposure, resilience levels, and OSS preferences.ConclusionPsychological resilience and OSS play critical roles in mitigating the impact of dual stress on suicidal ideation, with gender-specific patterns. Tailored digital interventions leveraging OSS could enhance resilience and reduce suicide risk in this vulnerable group.

This study examines how digital media use and perceived social support influence political participation among Chinese youth. We administered a large survey (N = 6,855) and employed structural equation modeling (SEM) to test a theoretical path model. Key measures included self-reported intensity of digital media use, multidimensional perceived social support, and online political participation. The model hypothesized that social support directly predicts online political participation and also indirectly affects participation via digital media use, with perceived state presence moderating the model. Results indicate that higher perceived social support significantly predicts greater digital media use and higher levels of political participation. Digital media use partially mediates the positive effect of social support on participation. Moreover, stronger perceptions of state monitoring amplified the positive relationship between media use and engagement, consistent with expectations from a fragmented authoritarian context. These findings suggest that robust social support from local community and active online engagement jointly sustain youth civic involvement even under restrictive conditions. The study contributes empirical evidence on the dual role of online platforms and social support in Chinese political socialization, with implications for enhancing civic resilience in fragmented authoritarian settings.

This paper analyzes the social problems and professional situations that female science and technology practitioners should face, respectively, and analyzes the social support rate and professional situation of female practitioners through the semi-structural method. Specific conclusions are as follows: (1) through the network questionnaire for the "Chinese women" career-family " dilemma survey for the professional mother group, the questionnaire includes basic information, work development, work arrangement, birth policy, household distribution, value identity, content, at the same time through semi-structured interview with several working mothers and enterprises and institutions, head of depth communication, and combined with social observation, understand the women's life situation and the dilemma. (2) in the background of gender structure inequality in the technology industry, the "Women ln Tech female technology practitioners collection" group as a description of a supportive community and the online social support shows the group response to female technology practitioners' gender anxiety, and the reconstruction of gender discourse and gender consciousness. (3)Research found that in the background of the relatively different gender ratio of men and women in the current science and technology workplace, the traditional gender construction is constantly replicated through the workplace culture and has a particular impact on women in the division of labor, promotion, salary increase, and other aspects.

ABSTRACT An online survey examined where and from whom people seek social support, predictors of seeking social support, and wellbeing outcomes. A national sample of 583 US participants reported active channel use, support received, tie strength, channel affordances, perceived stigma, stress, and positive affect. Data revealed people seek support primarily in person and from strong ties. Tie strength predicted that people seek support in person, relative to mobile text messaging, voice calls, and social media. Perceived channel affordances accessibility and editability predicted that people seek support via mobile text messaging and social media, relative to in person. A test of the buffering effect model of social support was not consistent with the data. However, a test of the main effect model of social support was consistent with the data, suggesting social ties are positively related to positive affect and health promotion. Results provide a needed update to the prevalence of seeking social support across channels and wellbeing outcomes. Implications for health promotion and practitioners are discussed.

Despite the common advantages, such as increased life satisfaction and mental health, online social support (OSS), as a product of the digital age, has a potential negative influence on fostering problematic internet usage (PIU). Many studies have suggested that OSS is positively associated with PIU. The present study conducts a three-level meta-analysis to examine the extent to which OSS is correlated with PIU and analyzes various moderators to identify sources of research heterogeneity. After searching and screening the literature, we identified 26 studies, including 23,396 participants and 44 effect sizes, for analysis. Results showed that OSS was significantly and positively related to PIU. Moreover, moderator analyses showed that the association between OSS and PIU was moderated by the measurement of both OSS and PIU. We propose that individuals should be aware of the potential risks associated with OSS and proactively develop their offline social networks to establish a more robust social support system. This approach can potentially mitigate reliance on virtual social interactions while reducing the likelihood of problematic internet usage.

Family members of individuals with spinal cord injury often take on caregiving responsibilities, which can lead to caregiver burden. One factor that can mitigate the adverse effects of caregiving, such as caregiver burden, is receiving social support. Caregivers can obtain support from people they meet in person (in-person support) and on social media platforms (online support). The current cross-sectional correlational design study investigated the moderating effect of in-person and online support on the association between relationship quality, caregiver competence, caregiver distress, and caregiver burden (dependent variables). Family caregivers of an individual with spinal cord injury (n = 115) completed an online survey assessing relationship quality, competence, distress, burden, and in-person and online supports. Moderation analyses showed that the negative associations between relationship quality and physical burden (B = -0.58; p = 0.019) and caregiver competence and physical burden (B = -0.73; p = 0.013) were more pronounced at higher levels of online social support. Furthermore, the magnitude of the negative associations between relationship quality and emotional burden (B = -0.52; p < 0.001) and caregiver competence and emotional burden (B = -0.34, p = 0.012) were more pronounced at higher levels of in-person social support. Moderation analyses also revealed that the positive association between distress and social burden (B = 0.47; p = 0.029) and emotional burden (B = 0.26; p = 0.045) were stronger when caregivers reported higher levels of online support. In-person and online support can buffer some aspects of caregiver burden on caregiver well-being. While online support is usually considered beneficial, greater online engagement may contribute to higher levels of burden when the distress is high. It is possible, however, that caregivers who are more distressed engage more with online media to receive support.

The capability of ChatGPT to understand and generate human-readable text has prompted the investigation of its potential as mental health assessment tools. This study aims to explore the validity of ChatGPT in assessing loneliness and online social support among college students by comparing scoring consistency between ChatGPT and the validated questionnaires. This was a cross-sectional study between June and August 2024. We pre-trained ChatGPT-4 based on the validated University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale-6 (ULS-6) and Chinese Youth Version of the Online Social Support Scale (OSSS-CS), creating a structured interview questionnaire. Participants were invited to complete both the ChatGPT-created questionnaire and the validated questionnaires. We used Spearman correlation analysis, Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), and Bland–Altman plots to assess the agreement between the scores from ChatGPT and the validated questionnaires. In addition, we evaluated ceiling and floor effects. A total of 216 college students participated the survey. The results demonstrated a good consistency between the scores obtained from ChatGPT and the validated questionnaires, with ICC of 0.81 (95% CI 0.75–0.85, p < 0.001) for ULS-6 and 0.95 (95% CI 0.94–0.96, p < 0.001) for OSSS-CS. The Spearman correlation coefficients were 0.64 (p < 0.001) for ULS-6 and 0.89 (p < 0.001) for OSSS-CS, indicating a moderate correlation. No ceiling or floor effects were observed. The ChatGPT-created questionnaire demonstrated acceptable consistency with the validated questionnaires. Future studies can further explore the performance of ChatGPT in different populations and domains, as well as how to integrate it with validated questionnaires to enhance the accessibility of assessments.

The Self-Regulation for Learning – Online (SRL-O) scale was developed to encompass a broad range of motivational beliefs and learning strategies commonly used in online or blended learning environments. This study aims to determine the validity and reliability of the SRL-O scale, developed by Broadbent et al. (2023) to address shortcomings in existing measurement instruments, within the Turkish context. The 44-item, 7-point Likert-type scale was administered to a total of 803 undergraduate and graduate students. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to examine the 10-factor structure of the scale, which includes (1) online self-efficacy, (2) online intrinsic motivation, (3) online extrinsic motivation, (4) online negative achievement emotion, (5) planning and time management, (6) metacognition, (7) study environment, (8) online effort regulation, (9) online social support, and (10) online task strategies. The results indicated that the 10-factor structure was consistent with the original scale and demonstrated good model fit. Internal consistency coefficients were calculated for the entire scale and its subdimensions to assess reliability. Additionally, the scale was found to have two higher-order factors: motivational beliefs and learning strategies. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the overall scale was calculated as 0.91. The SRL-O is expected to meet the need for a comprehensive instrument that captures a wide range of motivational beliefs and learning strategies in the context of online self-regulated learning

The prevalence of short videos among college students has transformed them into a significant aspect of their daily lives. However, the extent of problematic short video usage remains an underexplored area. The current study aims to examine the relation between self-concealment and problematic short video use among students, and the mediating mechanisms of fear of missing out and online social support. A total of 718 college students took part in this survey. All participants completed the Self-Concealment Scale, Fear of Missing Out Scale, Online Social Support Questionnaire, and Short Video Addiction Scale. The results showed significant positive interrelations among self-concealment, fear of missing out, online social support, and problematic short video use (all correlation coefficients ranging from 0.12 to 0.60, ps < 0.001). Structural equation modeling demonstrated that fear of missing out mediated the relation between self-concealment and problematic short video use (indirect effect = 1.97, 95% CI [1.36, 3.12]), and a significant serial mediation of online social support and fear of missing out was also valid (indirect effect = 0.05, 95% CI [0.01, 0.16]). The findings enhance our understanding of the association between self-concealment and problematic short video use and its potential mechanisms, which will help to better understand the causes of problematic short video use among college students. It also provides a useful reference to guide people in using the internet reasonably and to prevent and intervene in the problematic use of short videos.

The last decade has seen the proliferation of thousands of online support groups, fostering new opportunities for parents of children with learning disabilities to access information, advice, and support online. This study explores the experiences of mothers of children with dyslexia, focusing on how online social support networks serve as a critical resource for these parents. This study highlights the ways in which mothers navigate the challenges of dyslexia through shared experiences, collective resilience, and advocacy efforts. The findings suggest that online platforms not only provide emotional validation and practical advice but also foster empowerment by connecting mothers to others who understand the experience of raising a child with dyslexia. These networks become vital spaces where mothers can transform their struggles into strength, gaining both the support and confidence needed to advocate for their children’s needs. This study underscores the transformative power of online communities, offering new insights into the intersection of social support, personal experience, and advocacy in the context of dyslexia.

The internationalization of higher education is rapidly growing worldwide, with China emerging as the top destination for studying abroad in Asia. The growing global interest in Chinese medicine has made it essential for China to educate foreign students in this field as part of its internationalization efforts in education. Since the 1950s, when Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) universities first began admitting international students, there has been a notable rise in those specializing in TCM, underscoring the need for effective educational strategies. Despite these advancements, challenges persist, particularly in the area of cross-cultural adaptation. As international student enrollment rises at JXUCM, addressing the challenges they face in adapting to different cultures is essential. This study examines the cross-cultural adjustment of international students at JXUCM, employing cross-cultural adjustment theory as its foundational framework. It highlights the roles of online social support and cross-cultural identity factors in their adjustment process. Quantitative data were collected from 421 international students at JXUCM through random sampling. The findings from multiple regression analysis reveal that both online social support (including information, emotional, instrumental, and companionship support) and cross-cultural identity (comprising language, cultural, ethnic identity, and value recognition) positively influence cross-cultural adaptation. Notably, cross-cultural identity emerges as a more significant predictor of adaptation than online social support, emphasizing its crucial role for international students.

Online communication via avatars provides a richer online social experience than text communication. This reinforces the importance of online social support. Online social support is effective for people who lack social resources because of the anonymity of online communities. We aimed to understand online social support via avatars and their social relationships to provide better social support to avatar users. Therefore, we administered a questionnaire to three avatar communication service users (Second Life, ZEPETO, and Pigg Party) and three text communication service users (Facebook, X, and Instagram) (N=8,947). There was no duplication of users for each service. By comparing avatar and text communication users, we examined the amount of online social support, stability of online relationships, and the relationships between online social support and offline social resources (e.g., offline social support). We observed that avatar communication service users received more online social support, had more stable relationships, and had fewer offline social resources than text communication service users. However, the positive association between online and offline social support for avatar communication users was more substantial than for text communication users. These findings highlight the significance of realistic online communication experiences through avatars, including nonverbal and real-time interactions with co-presence. The findings also highlighted avatar communication service users' problems in the physical world, such as the lack of offline social resources. This study suggests that enhancing online social support through avatars can address these issues. This could help resolve social resource problems, both online and offline in future metaverse societies.