Perceived Online Social Support Research Articles

Fear of COVID-19 on Social Media: The Mediating Roles of Online Social Support and Disclosure of Information in South Korea

To minimize the spread and fear of COVID-19, the South Korean government disclosed detailed location-based information about confirmed cases. Information regarding the confirmed cases was then maliciously distributed on social networking services (SNS). Few studies have investigated how the fear of COVID-19 and the disclosure of information in confirmed cases affect intention on online behavior, despite SNS being a space where people can express themselves with high social support. An online survey was conducted in South Korea. People who feared contracting COVID-19 had a negative perception of not only self-disclosure but also information disclosure by others. However, the perceived online social support could overcome the fear of infectious diseases and encourage active engagement to disclose information. The disclosure of information about confirmed cases impacted social support and self-disclosure intentions. This study contributes to the literature on information disclosure for public health purposes in the online environment during the fear of the epidemic. The world government and future social media platform companies should develop a specific process of information disclosure to manage the fear of public behavior.

Evaluation of phubbing online social support and trait anxiety in nurses.

This study investigated the relationship between phubbing, online social support, trait anxiety, and some demographic factors among nurses. Phubbing, or socializing through online smartphone applications, has become increasingly prevalent in healthcare environments, potentially threatening real-life interactions. We aimed to explore the use of smartphones among nurses, both professionally and socially, and to determine if increased usage was leading to interaction problems. This cross-sectional study was conducted using a digital survey completed by 384 nurses between May and November 2021. The survey included an individual descriptive form, the generic scale of phubbing, the online social support scale, and the trait anxiety inventory. Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis H, t test, Pearson, and the Spearman rank correlation coefficient were used for analysis. A backward selection method regression analysis was performed to determine the variables affecting the phubbing score. The "STROBE checklist" for cross-sectional studies was utilized in order to report the findings of the study. The participants had a moderate level of trait anxiety. The study found that marital status, having WhatsApp groups with teammates, and being warned about phone use from teammates were significantly related to phubbing. A moderate positive correlation was found between the phubbing score and the online social support score. Additionally, a weak positive correlation was found between the general phubbing and trait anxiety scores. Perceived online social support significantly influenced the phubbing behavior of nurses and trait anxiety played a mediating role in this relationship. Nurses frequently use smartphones for professional purposes, but this study found that excessive phone use can be detrimental to their social interactions. Moreover, phubbing could also be problematic for patients. Therefore, healthcare professionals need to be aware of the potential consequences of smartphone usage and the importance of limiting excessive use during patient care.

Cognitive Behavioral Immersion for Substance Use Disorders: A Feasibility and Pilot Study of a Peer-Based Coaching Program in the Metaverse.

Introduction: Cognitive Behavioral Immersion (CBI) is a novel cognitive-behavioral skills program delivered by lay coaches in the metaverse through immersive virtual reality technology. Objectives: The objective for this study was to run a feasibility and pilot study of CBI for individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder. Methods: Data from 48 participants were used and program usage was assessed. Participants were asked to complete questionnaires assessing affect, perceived online social support, and group therapy alliance throughout their participation in the program. Structured qualitative interviews were also conducted with a subset of participants (n = 11) to understand the feasibility of the novel program. Results: Participants experienced a significant increase in their positive affect and non-significant decrease in their negative affect during their most recently attended session. Participants also experienced a nonsignificant increase in online social support across their participation in the program. Structured qualitative interviews revealed eight primary themes, including both advantages (community, psychoeducational impact, immersion, comparability with other interventions, coping in the pandemic, and anonymity) and areas of improvement (challenges and technological usability) of the program. Conclusion: This study provides preliminary support for the feasibility and potential effects of CBI and its incorporation of lay coaches to lead cognitive-behavioral skills groups in the metaverse. Future research is encouraged to examine the feasibility and efficacy of this program for a broader array of clinical presentations.

Perceived Online Social Support, Internet Addiction, and Psychological Wellbeing among University students

This study aims to explore the relationship between perceived online social support, internet addiction, and psychological well-being among university students. A sample of 250 university students from different universities in Lahore was included in this study. A purposive sampling strategy was used to collect survey data using internationally standardized tools. Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Multiple Hierarchical Linear Regression results showed that two subscales of perceived online social support, friends, and family, had a significant positive relationship with psychological well-being among university students. Among predictors, the current level of the semester and one subscale of perceived online social support- family, emerged as a significant positive predictor of psychological well-being among university students. The study concludes that family and friends are integral to the psychological well-being of university students and interventions must be planned to ensure that university students living far from home and those with excessive workloads have sufficient online and offline time with family and friends for mental health and well-being. Keywords: Online social support, internet addiction, psychological well-being, resilience, university students.

Friendship quality in adolescence: the role of social media features, online social support and e-motions.

The last decade has seen a growing interest in understanding what role social media play in adolescent experiences, including friendship relationships. However, little is known about the associations of specific characteristics of social media and individual factors with friendship quality. This study was designed in line with the tenets of the so-called Transformation Framework (Nesi et al., 2018) with the aim of testing whether and how social media features, online social support, and online expressions of emotions play a role in adolescents’ friendship quality. Participants were 744 Italian adolescents (64.5% females) with an average age of 15.9 years (SD = 1.31). First, a path analysis was conducted to test the hypothesized model on the whole sample of adolescents. Finally, two multi-group analyses (MGA) were conducted to analyze differences across gender groups (female vs. male) and group of social media users (problematic vs. non-problematic). Path analysis yielded a complex pattern of associations, in which different perceived social media features were significantly associated with different dimensions of friendship quality, both directly and indirectly via perceived online social support and the tendency to express e-motions on social media. Moreover, MGAs confirmed significant differences among both genders and social media users. The findings provide support for the importance of considering social media as a social context with its own characteristics for the study of adolescents’ peer experiences, by taking into consideration that the hypothesized role of social media in supporting friendship relations during adolescence may depend on individual factors.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-022-03564-3.

The benefits of career adaptability on African international students’ perception of social support and quality of life in China during the COVID-19 pandemic

With economic globalization, there has been a rapid increase in the number of sojourners in the workforce and in international education. However, little is known about the impact of career adaptability (a key psychosocial resource for managing career transitions) on international students’ adaptation in cross-cultural contexts, particularly their quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on career construct theory, this study examined how career adaptability directly and indirectly enhances international students’ quality of life through perceived online and offline social support, and how the COVID-19 pandemic affected their adaptation in cross-cultural context. With a sample of 328 African international students in China, we found that career adaptability and perceived online/ offline social support were positively related to the quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, perceived offline social support, but not perceived online social support, was an adapting response through which career adaptability enhances international students’ quality of life in cross-cultural context. The mediating effect of perceived offline social support diminished when the self-rated COVID-19 impact on international students was severe. These findings provide a basis for future psychosocial interventions to enhance international students’ adaptation to cross-cultural contexts during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Non-suicidal self-injury as a predictor of stress-related social network use

ABSTRACT Internet use continues to expand, and online communication has become more commonplace. Exploring how individuals use the internet may now be more important to assess than the degree of use. People who engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) are an internet population of interest because research has suggested that online discussion of NSSI can serve as both a risk and protective factor related to engagement in the behaviour. The current study examined if NSSI could predict stress-related social network use, and whether online disinhibition or online social support would independently moderate the relationship. The study consisted of 120 individuals recruited from social networking sites. Participants provided self-report of their NSSI histories, degree of online disinhibition, perceived online social support, and frequency of stress-related social networking. NSSI alone did not predict stress-related social networking. However, both online disinhibition and online social support were found to independently moderate the relationship between NSSI and stress-related social networking. Individuals that engage in NSSI and experience either high levels of online disinhibition or high online social support may use internet social networks during times of stress more frequently. Exploring how stress-related social networking functions in the online NSSI population should be an area of continued research.

Perceived Entrepreneurial Stress and Entrepreneurial Resilience; The Mediating Role of the Well-Being of Entrepreneurs and Moderating Role Perceived Online Social Support

This study investigated the effect of perceived entrepreneurial stress on entrepreneurial resilience with the well-being of an individual entrepreneur in mediating role and perceived online social support moderating this relationship. Using survey data collected from 204 entrepreneurs in two major towns in Kenya, considered entrepreneurial hubs were analyzed. To uncover this relationship, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to test the discriminant validity of the measurement model. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to test four hypotheses in seven models to estimate direct, indirect and interaction effects. The results showed that perceived entrepreneurial stress and the well-being of individual entrepreneurs are significantly negatively related; this study also found out that the well-being of individual entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial resilience are positively related. For moderation effect, perceived online social support positively moderated the relationship between the well-being of individual entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial resilience. Finally, to test the indirect effect, bootstrapping analysis was used to identify mediation effects. The bootstrapping indirect test results revealed that the well-being of individual entrepreneurs mediates the relationship between perceived entrepreneurial stress and entrepreneurial resilience. This study outlines online communities as an avenue where entrepreneurs can access online social support that can facilitate entrepreneurial resilience during crises and to foster resilience among entrepreneurs despite adversity, entrepreneurs need to consider making a culture of seeking and providing social support online to fellow entrepreneurs and online communities.

Perceived online social support for Parkinson’s disease patients: The role of support type, uncertainty, contentment, and psychological quality of life

ABSTRACT This study investigated the effects of two types of perceived online social support (i.e., informational support and emotional support) on Parkinson’s disease patients’ psychological quality of life. Also, this study examined the mediating effects of uncertainty between perceived informational support and psychological quality life, and the mediating effects of contentment between perceived emotional support and psychological quality of life. Parkinson’s disease patients (N = 124) from three different online peer support groups participated in a survey. The results revealed that perceived emotional support increased psychological quality of life via contentment. Practical implications and future research recommendations were proposed.

How to prevent side effects of social media use (SMU)? Relationship between daily stress, online social support, physical activity and addictive tendencies – A longitudinal approach before and during the first Covid-19 lockdown in Germany

• Daily stress positively predicts addictive social media use (SMU) three months later during Covid-19 lockdown. • Online social support mediates the link between daily stress and addictive SMU. • Physical activity moderates the link between online social support and addictive SMU. • Physical activity before Covid-19 outbreak can contribute to less addictive SMU during the pandemic. People who experience high levels of daily stress often resort to intensive social media use (SMU). In the short-term, this can contribute to relief and positive emotions. However, in the longer-term, intensive online activity can foster addictive tendencies. The present longitudinal study investigated the association between daily stress and addictive SMU. Data were assessed in a sample of 211 social media users ( M age ( SD age ) = 22.50 (5.00)) from Germany via online surveys at two measurement time points in winter 2020 (baseline, BL), and three months later in spring 2020 during the first Covid-19 lockdown (follow-up, FU). In moderated mediation analyses, the positive relationship between daily stress (BL) and addictive SMU (BL) and (FU) was significantly mediated by the level of perceived online social support (BL). Physical activity (BL) (e.g., jogging and cycling) significantly moderated the relationship between online social support (BL) and addictive SMU (BL) and (FU). Specifically, the association between both variables was significant for medium and low frequency of physical activity, but not for high frequency. The mostly female and relatively young sample composition limits the generalizability of the present findings. No experimental manipulation of the potential predictors of addictive SMU was introduced limiting the causal interpretation of the current results. The current findings disclose mechanisms that could reduce the risk of addictive SMU. Specifically, a conscious increase of physical activity could prevent the transformation of positive emotions evoked by the perception of online social support into addictive tendencies.

Online and offline social support deterioration: the effect of financial stress exposure on depressive symptoms

ABSTRACT Social support is a prominent factor in mental health etiology. According to the social support deterioration model, exposure to chronic stressors may over time erode people's social support, thereby contributing to increases in mental health issues. Although there is mounting evidence indicating the beneficial consequences of online social support, the extent to which social support deterioration takes place in an online context is to date not investigated. In this study, we tested if exposure to financial stress is associated with depressive symptoms and whether this association can be explained by decreases in both perceived online and offline social support respectively. Using data from a 2016 survey of a representative sample of inhabitants of Ghent (Belgium) (n = 1150, 51.5% female, Mage = 45.4, SDage = 15.9), we were able to confirm that a reduction in perceived online social support mediates the positive association of financial stress exposure with depressive symptoms, albeit only weakly and indirectly via its association with perceived offline social support. Our findings suggest that the association of online social support with respect to financial stress and mental health is comparable to its offline counterpart, yet its part should not be overstated. These findings allow us to discuss the offline role of online social support.

Promoting Clinical Conversations about Lung Cancer Screening: Exploring the Role of Perceived Online Social Support

The perceived availability of online social support may contribute to patient-provider conversations about lung cancer screening. This study examines how the perceived availability of instrumental and emotional online social support is associated with patient-provider communication about lung cancer screening among adults who meet U.S. Preventive Services Taskforce (USPSTF) eligibility criteria and live with a COPD diagnosis. In April 2018, 575 adults completed an online survey after being recruited from a large southeastern academic medical center’s broad research registry and website listing. Nearly half of the participants were 55-to-80 years old (41%), a current or former smoker who had quit smoking within the past 15 years (42%), and reported a smoking prevalence of 30 pack years or more (PPY; 41%). Results demonstrate that having a COPD diagnosis, identifying as male, and being a current or former tobacco smoker resulted in greater odds of having a clinical conversation about lung cancer screening. Conversely, meeting the 30 PPY smoking and 55-to-80 age thresholds lowered the odds of having these conversations. A high degree of instrumental and emotional online social support was associated with a greater incidence of annual patient-provider conversations about screening. This combination of perceived online social support was especially useful for patients with COPD.

The Direct and Indirect Effects of Online Social Support, Neuroticism, and Web Content Internalization on the Drive for Thinness among Women Visiting Health-Oriented Websites.

One of the debates about media usage is the potential harmful effect that it has on body image and related eating disturbances because of its representations of the “ideal body”. This study focuses on the drive for thinness among the visitors of various health-oriented websites and online platforms because neither has yet been sufficiently studied in this context. Specifically, this study aims to bring more insight to the risk factors which can increase the drive for thinness in the users of these websites. We tested the presumption that web content internalization is a key factor in this process, and we considered the effects of selected individual factors, specifically the perceived online social support and neuroticism. We utilized survey data from 445 Czech women (aged 18–29, M = 23.5, SD = 3.1) who visited nutrition, weight loss, and exercise websites. The results showed a positive indirect link between both perceived online social support and neuroticism to the drive for thinness via web content internalization. The results are discussed with regard to the dual role of online support as both risk and protective factor. Moreover, we consider the practical implications for eating behavior and weight-related problems with regard to prevention and intervention.

The relationship between daily stress, social support and Facebook Addiction Disorder

The present study investigated the links between daily stress, social support, Facebook use, and Facebook Addiction Disorder (FAD). Two varieties of social support were considered, according to the communication channel: offline and online. In a sample of 309 Facebook users (age: M(SD) = 23.76(4.06), range: 18–56), daily stress was positively related to the intensity of Facebook use and to tendencies towards Facebook addiction. The link between daily stress and intensity of Facebook use was negatively moderated by perceived offline social support, indicating that individuals who received low levels of support offline were particularly likely to increase their Facebook use at higher levels of daily stress. Perceived online social support partly mediated the positive relationship between Facebook use intensity and tendencies towards FAD. It is remarkable that Facebook use intensity is systematically related to both positive (i.e., receiving online social support) and negative (i.e., building up FAD) consequences. Thereby, individuals who receive high levels of social support online tend to be at risk for tendencies towards FAD. Thus, while offline social support might protect mental health, online support might influence it negatively. This should be considered when assessing individuals at risk for obsessive Facebook use and when planning interventions to deal with FAD.

Sociodemographic, Attitudinal, and Behavioral Correlates of Using Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Fitness Websites: An Online Survey.

BackgroundNutrition, diet, and fitness are among the most searched health topics by internet users. Besides that, health-related internet users are diverse in their motivations and individual characteristics. However, little is known about the individual characteristics associated with the usage of nutrition, weight loss, and fitness websites.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the individual factors associated with the usage of nutrition, weight loss, and fitness websites.MethodsAn invitation to an online survey was published on 65 websites and discussion forums. In total, we employed data from 623 participants (aged 13 to 39 years, mean 24.11 [SD 5.26]). The measures included frequency of usage of nutrition, weight loss and fitness websites, excessive exercise, eating disorder symptomatology, internalization of the beauty ideal, weight status, and perceived online social support. Participants’ data were used as predictors in a base linear regression model.ResultsThe final model had an acceptable fit (χ210 =14.1; P=.17; root mean square error of approximation=0.03; comparative fit index=0.99; Tucker-Lewis index=0.99). Positive associations were found between usage of (1) nutrition websites and being female, higher levels of excessive exercise, and perceived online social support; (2) weight loss websites and excessive exercise, internalization, being female, eating disorder symptomatology, and being overweight or obese; and (3) fitness websites and levels of excessive exercise, internalization, and frequency of internet use.ConclusionsThe results highlighted the importance of individual differences in the usage of health-related websites.

What happens online stays online? —— Social media dependency, online support behavior and offline effects for LGBT

Social media is increasingly popular among LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) who have a higher risk of depression and dis-identification in China. However, it is unclear whether psychological dependency on social media and social media use behavior have beneficial offline effects. We conducted an online survey of 1391 valid LGBT recruited in China and also interviewed five LGBT Weibo users to better explain some results. We found LGBT with higher levels of depression and dis-identification were more likely to be psychologically dependent on social media. Higher levels of social media dependency were predictive of social media use, and both online social support seeking and offering activities contributed individually as predictor of perceived online social support. Perceived online social support was not negatively related to offline depression and dis-identification, which meant what happens online may stay online. LGBT who has a longer history of using Weibo would be less dependent on social media, perceive less online social support and have better offline psychological wellbeing. The mechanism of how social media use affects offline life of LGBT needs to be further examined. Limitations, future directions and recommendations are discussed.

Weibo friends with benefits for people live with HIV/AIDS? The implications of Weibo use for enacted social support, perceived social support and health outcomes

With the increasing popularity of social media, many people who live with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) seek social support via Weibo in China. The question arises here as to whether PLWHA perceive higher levels of social support via Weibo than in offline relationships, whether perceived online social support (PSS-ON) is associated with enacted social support, and whether it is effective in predicting better health outcomes. Based on self-reported data from 432 Chinese PLWHA, the authors investigated perceived offline social support (PSS-OFF), PSS-ON, enacted social support, and health outcomes. The empirical results indicate that PSS-ON is significantly associated with employment status, CD4 cell counts, and PSS-OFF. PSS-ON is higher than PSS-OFF for PLWHA, and close Weibo friends are the main source of PSS-ON. Enacted receiving social support and giving social support are relevant, and they contribute as individual predictors of PSS-ON. PSS-ON and PSS-OFF are distinct constructs in predicting the subjective well-being of PLWHA, while PSS-ON is not related to adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and risky sexual behavior in this study. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

Helpful or Harmful? The Different Relationships Between Private Facebook Interactions and Adolescents’ Depressive Symptoms

ABSTRACTThis study aims to provide greater insight into the role of 2 aspects of online peer interactions—perceived online social support and online corumination—in the short-term longitudinal relationship between private Facebook interactions and adolescents’ depressive symptoms. Special attention is given to gender differences. To test our hypotheses, a 2-wave panel study was set up (NTime1 = 1,840). Using structural equation modeling, results showed that private Facebook interactions were concurrently positively related to boys’ and girls’ online corumination and online corumination was positively associated with boys’ and girls’ depressive symptoms. In addition, results revealed that private Facebook interactions were predictive of relative increases in boys’ and girls’ perceptions of online social support over time (i.e., 6 months later). Perceptions of online social support in turn were predictive of relative decreases in girls’ depressive symptoms over time. The discussion focuses on the understanding and implications of these findings.

Gender Differences in Usage of Social Networking Sites and Perceived Online Social Support on Psychological Well Being of Youth

Social Networking Sites have been consuming a major part in the Youth daily routine. The study was conducted with an aim to study the effect of social networking sites and perceived social support on the psychological well-being of the youth. The sample size was 100 which had 50 males and 50 females. All the participants were college going students or new entrants in the corporate sector. The participants were asked to fill the questionnaire which had four parts – 1. Social Networking Sites Survey, 2. Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Assessment, 3. Psychological General Well-Being Index. The results indicated a negative relationship between the usage of social networking sites and the psychological well-being while positive relationship existed between online perceived social support and psychological well-being. Certain gender differences were also found among the variables like perceived social support and attraction towards social networking sites. This study has a lot of implications in terms of creating awareness among the youth so that they limit the usage of social networking sites and also a lot of research in the Indian context is yet to be done.

Exploring the Relationships Between Different Types of Facebook Use, Perceived Online Social Support, and Adolescents’ Depressed Mood

This study aims to provide a deeper understanding of the relationships between different types of Facebook use, perceived online social support, and boys’ and girls’ depressed mood. To address this aim, this study ( N = 910) developed a comprehensive model that (1) differs between specific types of Facebook use, (2) examines the mediating role of perceived online social support, and (3) takes adolescent users’ gender into account. Structural equation modeling showed that the harmful impact of Facebook use exclusively occurs among girls who passively use Facebook and among boys who actively use Facebook in a public setting. Girls, however, who actively use Facebook, either in a public setting or in a private setting and subsequently perceive online social support, benefit from actively using Facebook, as perceived online social support negatively predicted girls’ depressed mood. The discussion focuses on the explanation and understanding of these findings, key limitations, and directions for future research.