WeChat Usage Research Articles

Can WeChat really foster young people's civic engagement? Unraveling an underlying mechanism from the social capital theoretical perspective

PurposeBuilding upon social capital theoretical foundation, the principal purpose of present research is to construct a conceptual research model and uncover the intricate relationships between WeChat usage, social capital and civic participation behaviors among young people.Design/methodology/approachA large cross-sectional valid data from 1,238 young people in mainland China were gathered to examine the hypothesized research model. Descriptive analyses, correlation analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were sequentially undertaken to determine dynamic interrelationships among main constructs.FindingsThe empirical findings demonstrate that WeChat usage positively impacts young people's social interaction ties, the guanxi network and shared goals. Moreover, social interaction ties and shared goals are positively associated with their online civic engagement. Furthermore, the guanxi network is positively associated with both online and offline civic engagement.Research limitations/implicationsTheoretically, this research is the first to explicitly explore the influence mechanism of WeChat use intensity on different dimensions of individual-level social capital and civic engagement. Practically, these obtained results can be beneficial to the comprehending of whether and how WeChat is a resource for social capital and civic involvement.Originality/valueDespite mobile social media, especially WeChat, has achieved immense popularity in contemporary mainland China, the potential influence of this emerging technology use on individuals' differential dimensions of social capital and civic engagement has not been systematically investigated. The study may not only offer fresh insight into innovative features of WeChat but also contribute to broader controversies regarding the impact of mobile-mediated communication on individuals' daily civic lives.

Research on the Parent-child Relationship Between College Students and Their Parents Based on the WeChat platform —— Cites Tibet University

The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of WeChat usage and WeChat usage motivation of Tibetan University students on the parent-child relationship. Using the questionnaire survey method, the study subjects were mainly students from Xizang University. In this study, the questionnaire and obtained 412 valid samples. Analysis was performed with SPSS21.0 statistical software, including population frequency analysis, t-test of independent samples, univariate analysis, and correlation analysis. The results show that women use more WeChat functions than men, and the parent-child relationship between Tibetan students and their parents is better than Han students; the distance and time from home significantly affect the WeChat motivation and parent-child relationship. The more college students use WeChatB 1, the stronger motivation oWeChatB 1, which is more beneficial to the development of parent-child relationship.

Usage of WeChat by International Students and Its Usefulness: Study Based in Wuhan University China

China has established as a significant learning hub in Asia, with a rising number of international students entering the country each year. Although WeChat is a popular social media platform among international students in China, a few studies have been conducted on how international students utilize Chinese social media. The study's objective is to investigate international students' use of WeChat and its educational value in mainland China. Data were gathered using a survey approach. Individuals studying at Wuhan University in China were chosen as the population sample. The University of Wuhan is a complete university spanning a range of specialized fields. It is one of the best universities with the particular achievement of education in china. Data collected from the office of the College of Foreign Students Education and General Administration office at Wuhan University shows that the intake of international and local students has been steadily increased in recent years. Therefore it is reasonable to select a sample for the research from Wuhan University. To determine what concern about when using social media by college students in a transnational environment, international students at Wuhan University were selected as a sample, and questionnaires were adapted to collect data. The questionnaire is designed for the international in the Wuhan University. The questionnaire is aimed to answer research objectives. Hence, the questionnaire is used as a research instrument to collect primary data. Despite the distribution of 250 (N) questionnaires to international students, only 216 (n) completed questionnaires were received from them. According to the survey, the four most appealing features to all international students are Payment facilities, mobile calling, built-in text conversion, and multi-modal messaging. Furthermore, the study found that WeChat has a lot of possibilities in academic contexts. The majority of students embraced the use of WeChat in teaching and learning to supplement classroom instruction, and they enthusiastically agreed with WeChat's social, technological, and pedagogical benefits. Finally, the paper discusses the WeChat usage behavior of international students, as well as its implications for improving educational value and recommendations for future research.

Connecting mobile social media with psychosocial well-being: Understanding relationship between WeChat involvement, network characteristics, online capital and life satisfaction

Previous studies have confirmed the powerful influence of social networks on individuals’ mental health and well-being. However, the relative contribution of different dimensions of network characteristics to psychosocial outcomes on mobile social media is unclear. The objectives of this current research are to investigate the effect of WeChat involvement on young people’s network characteristics (network diversity and network size) and to examine the influence of network characteristics on their online bridging capital, bonding capital and life satisfaction. Especially, the hypothesized research model is developed to unpack the mediating role of network characteristics in the association between WeChat usage and related psychosocial outcomes. Based on survey data collected from 566 young people, the study demonstrates that WeChat involvement positively predicts individuals’ network diversity and network size in their daily routine life. Interestingly, network diversity is also positively associated with degrees of online bridging capital, online bonding capital and satisfaction with life. Additionally, the mediating roles of network diversity and network size between WeChat involvement and psychosocial outcomes is revealed. The research findings provide fresh insight into understanding the implication of individuals’ mobile social media use and network network attibutes for well-being outcomes in contemporay mobile-mediated environment.

The effects of digital media upon labor knowledge and attitudes: a study of Chinese labor subjectivity in a vocational training school

ABSTRACT Existing studies on digital media and labor seldom pay attention to youth in vocational education (VE), nor do they consider the use of and attitudes towards digital media in connection with labor subjectivity. This research fills the gap by exploring how patterns of digital communication relate to each other in exerting influence on labor knowledge and attitudes in the setting of a vocational school. We present findings from a unique survey dataset (N = 1761) collected in Shaanxi, China. Aided by fieldwork, interviews, and observations of online discussions among students, we constructed reliable composite variables for behavioral and attitudinal patterns of digital communication and found that (a) participation in online forum discussion enhances labor-rights knowledge and predicts more consumerist usage of WeChat, but it does not encourage more reflections on gaming or achieve more labor-related attitudes; (b) reflective attitudes does not increase labor knowledge, but it is positively correlated with work-related attitudes; (c) there is no significant relationship between consumerist usage on the one hand and labor knowledge or attitudes on the other; and (d) labor knowledge indeed helps enhance labor attitudes. Contributions and implications of these findings are discussed.

The Effect of WeChat Usage on Upward Social Comparison in Undergraduates

Objective To explore the status of undergraduates’ WeChat usage and upward social comparison, and analyze the relationship between the above two variables.Method：Totally 754 WeChat undergraduates were selected through poster recruitment from 5 colleges in Guangdong Province. They were investigated with Access Frequency to Social Networking Site Scale (AFSNSS), Upward Social Comparison Subscale of Iowa-Nwtherlands Comparison Orientation Measure (INCOM-USCS). Results：The score of overall emotional engagement(OEE) of AFSNSS and the total standard score of INCOM–USCS (TSSI-U) were (22.41±4.70) and (0±4.5), respectively. The correlation between WeChat frequency and TSSI-U was not significant.TSSI-U was significantly postively correlated with the score of OEE and other items of AFSNSS (r=0.161～0.413, P <0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that The scores of item 1,7and 8 of AFSNSS, as well as family economic status, grade ranking of academic performance (GRAP) and the purpose of WeChat use were postively correlated with TSSI-U (β=.104～.234, P<.05). Class cadre or not and origin were negatively correlated with TSSI-U (β=-.089, -.130,P<.05). Conclusion：It suggests that WeChat usage may be a related factor for undergraduates'upward social comparison.

WeChat usage during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: the mediating role of online self-disclosure on quality of friendship and well-being

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate university students’ WeChat usage during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in relation to the mediating role of online self-disclosure on their quality of friendship and well-being. A model is proposed to explain how students’ interactions occur during the lockdown and the mediatory role which self-disclosure plays in influencing their socio-psychological markup.Design/methodology/approachThe research model was tested empirically through a survey conducted online with 600 research participants, comprising of university students in China.FindingsResults in structural equation modeling show that WeChat interaction significantly correlates with the quality of friendship, online self-disclosure but not significantly correlates with well-being, but an indirect relationship was found out in the mediation analysis. There is also a significant relationship between online self-disclosure, quality of friendship and well-being. Mediation analysis shows that online self-disclosure mediates the relationship between interactions on WeChat and quality of friendship; it also mediates the relationship between WeChat interaction and well-being. In all, the results achieved in this study will significantly help provide more insights in comprehending the nuances attached to some socio-psychological aspects of WeChat and how its usage affects people during the period of crisis.Originality/valueTheoretically based investigation of WeChat usage among university students and its relationship with online self-disclosure, quality of friendship and well-being is still quite scarce, thereby underscoring the needs and significance of a theoretically based study in this regard. This study tested the credibility and validity of the proposed model in the context of the recent COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in China, which is one of the first in recent times.

Chinese first, woman second: Social media and the cultural identity of female immigrants

ABSTRACT Based on the conceptual framework of digital diaspora, this article explores the role social media plays in the development of migrant cultural identity and its political potential among digital forms. Using in-depth interviews and online observations, it analyzes the motives, purposes, strategies and outcomes of the use of WeChat, a leading Chinese social media platform, by Chinese female immigrants in Switzerland. Through thematic analysis, the article distills three patterns of WeChat usage by these women. Firstly, it notes how they make use of the technological affordances of WeChat to remain connected with their native culture. Secondly, it explains how, after acquisition of economic capital, they are able to forge a steady intersectional identity in their new host country. And finally, it problematizes their strategy to strive for social equality.

To WeChat or to more chat during learning? The relationship between WeChat and learning from the perspective of university students

WeChat has become an indispensable part of university students’ life in China. However, there was little research into the relationship between WeChat and learning. This study investigates university students’ attitudes towards the impact of WeChat on learning, the determinants of WeChat learning engagement, and how WeChat usage influences students’ academic performance. A total of 719 valid questionnaires were sent and collected from university students. The results indicate: 1) WeChat is perceived as a “double-edged sword” of learning with two-sided effects. 2) Students’ engagement with WeChat on learning is at the upper-medium level, over which the motivation of WeChat usage, other than usage duration and login time, is found to have strong explanatory power. 3) The frequency of WeChat usage affects students’ academic performance in a complicated way with self-control playing a moderating role. The findings have significant value for future research about WeChat usage among university students.

A Comparative Study on the Social Media Usage in Coastal City in China

Luo, Y.M.; Ye, Q.W., and Guo, L.N., 2020. A comparative study on the social media usage in coastal city in China. In: Qiu, Y.; Zhu, H., and Fang, X. (eds.), Current Advancements in Marine and Coastal Research for Technological and Sociological Applications. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 107, pp. 362-367. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.WeChat, as the most widely used social media for the elderly in China, has attracted much attention from all walks of life. This study investigated and analyzed WeChat usage among 289 elderly people from a coastal city. It is found that the elderly have high usage activeness of WeChat and mainly use instant messaging and information interaction functions. At the same time, the elderly with different demographic characteristics show significant differences in usage activeness, function preference, and information topics concerned. This study provides valuable suggestions for promoting intelligent old-age care and providing social media services more in line with the needs of the elderly.

The usage of WeChat to promote academic publishing in China: A case study on Chinese Laser Press

WeChat is one of the most popular social media applications in China and is widely used by publishers to promote their journals and activities. The Chinese Laser Press (CLP) has four WeChat accounts; approximately 1 million reads were recorded in 2018. The most influential WeChat account of the CLP had almost 43,000 subscribers at the end of 2019. WeChat is a successful tool for connecting journals with readers and can increase the visibility of the journals both within China and elsewhere. Connecting with researchers via WeChat is helping CLP maintain relations with researchers throughout their career.

WeChat engagement styles: Measuring the two processes of relatedness need, moderated by personality differences

Recently in China, the popularity of the social networking site, WeChat, has increased rapidly. The current study aims to develop a WeChat Engagement Style Measure (WESM) to distinguish among different WeChat use styles. Based on the framework of the two-process model of psychological needs, this study explores relatedness need frustration (RNF) as a predictor and relatedness need satisfaction (RNS) as an outcome of WeChat use. Individual differences in the Big Five personality traits are examined in relation to the two processes. Data were collected from 494 Chinese college students. The results revealed that the 11-item WESM featured three factors: involvement, active engagement, and passive engagement. In the need-as-motive process, RNF only predicted passive WeChat engagement, which was moderated by openness and neuroticism. This effect was stronger for participants with high openness and low neuroticism. In the need-as-requirement process, WeChat involvement and active engagement predicted RNS, and extraversion moderated between active engagement and RNS. This effect was restricted to those with high extraversion. The current study provides a deeper understanding of the two processes of relatedness need and individual personality differences in the context of WeChat usage.

WeChat-based teaching for an immersion cultural exchange program \u2013 a case study in CFL

This paper reports on an exploratory study investigating WeChat-based learning efficiency in teaching Chinese as a foreign language (CFL). Generated from the Connectivism theory, this study aims at exploring the features of mobile-assisted teaching in an immersion CFL exchange program with the social communication app WeChat as a case in point. WeChat is a multimedia instant messenger application in China. In this two-year-long study, an action study was applied. A total of ten learners of elementary Chinese were involved. The participants received and submitted the assignment via WeChat and were asked to review language points on the weekly course posts. Their posts on WeChat Moments were recorded and then reconstructed into language learning content. This study adopted a mixed-method design. Data were collected through the course learning outcomes, an end-of-semester questionnaire, and follow-up interviews. The results show a positive reception from the learners on WeChat-based learning. This study observes (1) students’ evident linguistic development in the spontaneous expression on WeChat; (2) a substantial change toward learning with social media; (3) conscious and unconscious language input and output. Language learners reported that using WeChat (1) provided them with a better opportunity to communicate with native speakers; (2) enabled them to integrate knowledge into life; (3) helped them review class content and share thoughts more efficiently; (4) offered them a long-term supportive Chinese language community.However, the results also indicate that (1) personal preference to social media should be taken into consideration; (2) WeChat fails to foster autonomous learning in the students; (3) students’ participation and motivation declined towards the end of the program. In retrospect, monitoring and supervising WeChat usage when necessary, assigning the topics of the posts, and inspiring interest in learning language by solving real-life problems are recommended.

Chinese parental involvement and class-based inequality in education: the role of social networking sites

ABSTRACTBased on an ethnographic study, this article presents the class-based disparities of Chinese parents’ usage of WeChat, the dominating social networking mobile application in China, in their educational involvement. We find that middle-class parents are the privileged ones who have exploited the use of WeChat not only as a medium for communication, but more as a mode of influence. Through WeChat, their various forms of capital are channelled to catalyse changes in their children's education. In contrast, working-class parents tend to act as absent participants in using WeChat for their educational involvement. We argue that WeChat has brought forth the consequence of widening the arena for winning or losing at the educational game for parents from different social classes. We call for corrective policies and guidelines on the usage of WeChat and other SNSs technologies in home–school dynamics.

WeChat use of mainland Chinese dual migrants in daily border crossing

Drawing on data derived from WeChat and the life experiences of its users, this study explores the daily affordances of WeChat in the cross-border lives of dual migrants from the Chinese mainland. In this study, 24 low-skilled Chinese dual migrants from the mainland who were working as security guards and cleaners were recruited to participate in in-depth interviews and group discussions. The lives of these dual migrants are marked politically, socially, and economically by their vulnerable status and by the stresses and vicissitudes that characterize their daily commute between Zhuhai (their place of residence) and Macao (their place of work). Dual migrants from the Chinese mainland use electronic media for support, pleasure, and access to information. One of the main online platforms they utilize is WeChat, a social networking site that is available on mobile phones. By framing these dual migrants’ usage of WeChat within the affordances of social media, this social networking site functions as a digital mediated space that provides migrants with communal solidarity, social interaction, access to information, and, in some cases, economic benefits.

Decreasing the use of edible oils in China using WeChat and theories of behavior change: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThe consumption of edible oils in China has increased rapidly in recent years, and the total amount of edible-oil intake in the country has ranked first in the world. The choice and intake of edible oils, as a source of fats, are important factors that affect people’s health. Many chronic diseases are closely associated with high-calorie and saturated-fat intake. The influence of traditional concepts that promote the use of edible oils among women, particularly housewives, plays a key role in a household’s diet and nutrition because the diet-related knowledge, attitude and behaviour of housewives are dominant factors in planning and preparing their family’s meals. WeChat, which was developed by Tencent, is a multipurpose messaging, social media and mobile payment application (app) in China. Described by Forbes as one of the world’s most powerful apps, WeChat provides considerable convenience in disseminating knowledge. Accordingly, this study aims to design a pilot intervention to decrease the use of edible oils in Chinese households. The intervention, which is based on theories of behaviour change, will be implemented through WeChat.Design and methodsThe study design is a randomised controlled trial that adopts knowledge, attitude and practice, social cognitive and stages of change theories as theoretical models. A total of 800 housewives between the ages of 25 and 45 years will be recruited on WeChat and from the communities in four areas (including rural and urban) in Chongqing, China. A self-administered questionnaire will be used to collect information regarding age, educational level, occupation, family members, edible-oil intake habits, knowledge of edible oils and WeChat usage habits. A total of 200 participants will be selected and randomly assigned to two equal-sized groups: group A (the intervention group) and group B (the control group). Group A will receive health education regarding edible oils for four consecutive weeks, whereas group B will be treated as the blank control. Each participant will complete a battery of knowledge, attitude and behaviour tests immediately, 3 months and 6 months after the intervention. In addition, weight, moisture rate, fat rate, visceral fat level and body mass index will be calculated using a multifunctional weighing scale, namely, Tanita BC-601 (Japan). The study is currently in the design stage.DiscussionThis study aims to increase knowledge and awareness of the appropriate use of edible oils, thereby encouraging participants to change behaviour by decreasing the intake of unhealthy levels of edible oils. It will be the first intervention to investigate the use of edible oils in China through WeChat. We predict that receiving health education regarding edible oils through WeChat will substantially improve the knowledge and attitude of the respondents. The members of the intervention group will have increased awareness and will be willing to decrease their use of edible oils to remain healthy. Results of this study may provide scientific evidence for the effect of health education through WeChat on edible oil-intake behaviour, thereby offering a comprehensive intervention to decrease the use of edible oils and promote a healthy lifestyle.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry (primary registry in the World Health Organisation registry network): ChiCTR-IOR-17013472. Registered on 21 November 2017.

Getting connected while aging: the effects of WeChat network characteristics on the well-being of Chinese mature adults

We Chat is one of the most popular social media applications, ranking fifth globally. Drawing on the socioemotional selectivity theory, this study investigated the usage of WeChat among Chinese aged 50–80 years in 68 cities across the country. This study is the first to examine the effects of the characteristics of the WeChat network on users’ psychological well-being (PWB) and subjective well-being (SWB). The results of the online survey (N = 506) suggested that making strong connections on WeChat positively affected the participants’ PWB and SWB. Connecting with individuals who shared the same interests also improved the participants’ PWB and SWB. However, connections with neighbors on WeChat decreased their PWB. Our findings have valuable implications for social networking platform designers, social workers, and the community of both emerging seniors and senior citizens.

WeChat use is significantly correlated with college students' quality of friendships but not with perceived well-being

Although WeChat is currently one of the fastest growing social media in mainland China, many scholars and researchers are yet to systematically investigate the potential social and psychological consequences of the newly emerging online social network. Based on theory and previous studies, the principal purpose of this present study is to probe and understand whether and how the use of WeChat is related to individuals' friendship quality and psychological well-being. Research participants were a total of 508 college students who completed anonymous questionnaires gauging their WeChat usage behaviors, self-disclosure, friendship quality, and well-being. Using structural equation modeling, results demonstrate that the intensity of WeChat use is significantly correlated with college students' quality of friendships but not with perceived well-being. Moreover, the outcomes also reveal that students' friendship quality is a significant predictor of well-being. However, there is no relationship between online self-disclosure and friendship quality or well-being. Overall, these obtained findings of the empirical study could cast a much-needed light on the nuanced understanding of the certain social and technological affordances of WeChat and how it may ultimately impact individual's quality of life in the new media context.

Impact of social media apps on producer–member relations in China’s community supported agriculture

ABSTRACTThis study explores the usage and impact of a social media app (SMA), WeChat, on producer–member relations in a community supported agriculture (CSA). Our analysis of WeChat usage on the Jiamei Farm shows that the SMA helped to foster a better producer–member relationship by connecting the two groups across space and time more efficiently. These findings contribute to existing research on CSAs and suggest that farms can utilise SMAs for the benefit of all. For example, they can use members’ feedback to enhance their services and create stronger social ties with clients.

Is mobile app a new political discussion platform? An empirical study of the effect of WeChat use on college students' political discussion and political efficacy.

In the last couple of years, the increasing application and popularization of mobile app have dramatically transformed people’s daily political lives through offering innovative mechanisms for interpersonal communication. While a majority of past studies on WeChat have mainly focused on its characteristics, only few documents have unearthed the potential effect of using such emerging social media on facilitating political discussion and increasing political efficacy. Given those, this study adopted uses and gratifications approach to explore the possible relationships between gratifications-sought, the intensity of WeChat usage on mobile phones, online political discussion, and political efficacy among college students in China. An empirical survey with 282 WeChat users reveals that WeChat as a relatively new outlet of political information, which fosters online political discussion with others about government and politics. Contrary to the expectation, the intensity of WeChat usages is not helped to strengthen or enhance individual’s level of internal or external political efficacy. Furthermore, hierarchical regression analyses demonstrate that information needs and recognition needs are positive predictors of internal political efficacy. Overall, these obtained findings may shed more up-to-date insights on the meaningful role of the mobile-based communication technology in promoting citizens’ democratic engagement in a developing country.