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This study reports outcomes from a preliminary study of an online, peer-led support group intervention for family members of people experiencing addiction. A mixed-methods design, comprising within-subjects analysis of intervention data and semi-structured interviews, was used. Seventy-eight participants received the intervention. Participants completed baseline and exit surveys: (i) General Self-Efficacy Scale, (ii) Personal Well-being Index, and (iii) Social Connectedness Scale; and at exit: (i) Client Satisfaction Questionnaire, (ii) Group Sessions Rating Scale, and (iii) Perceived Personal Benefits Scale. Eleven participants were interviewed. There was a significant improvement in mean general self-efficacy for the 23 participants who completed baseline and exit surveys. Most were satisfied with the intervention and reported it to be beneficial. Three themes were identified through a conventional content analysis of interviews: connection with others who share experiences, expertise of facilitators, and accessing support when in crisis. Online peer-led support groups may provide an opportunity for affected family members to share and learn coping strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study investigated the relationship between phubbing, online social support, trait anxiety, and some demographic factors among nurses. Background: 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. Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusions: Perceived online social support significantly influenced the phubbing behavior of nurses and trait anxiety played a mediating role in this relationship. Implications for nursing and policy: 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through a reflexive thematic analysis of a large online support group for dyslexia and a sensemaking lens, this study investigated how mothers made sense of their child's dyslexia through metaphors. Mothers used metaphors to characterise their feelings surrounding dyslexia, their school‐based interactions and their identity as advocates. The language mothers use offers a generative, textured way to understand the lived experiences of supporting a child with learning differences. Whilst mothers articulated much frustration and anger, they also voiced encouragement, advice‐giving, empathy and hope, illustrating how their sense of agency was both threatened and empowered by the experience of having a child with dyslexia. There is much mothers must process, understand and navigate surrounding their child's dyslexia and the findings underscore the need for early school‐based screening, support and intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of online altruistic behaviors among the college students has attracted widespread attention. However, the factors influencing this are still unclear. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship and mechanism of online interpersonal trust, moral identity, online social support and online altruistic behavior among college students. Methods: The survey was conducted among 986 Chinese college students using the Interpersonal Trust Scale for the Internet, Moral Identity Scale, The Internet Social Support Questionnaire for College Students and The Internet Altruistic Behavior Questionnaire for College Students. Results: Moral identity, online social support, online interpersonal trust and online altruistic behavior were significantly positively correlated (r = 0.09-0.39, p < 0.01). Online social support plays a partial mediating role in the relation between online interpersonal trust and online altruistic behavior, accounting for 33.76% of the total effect, while moral identity and online social support play a chain mediating role in the relation between online interpersonal trust and online altruistic behavior, accounting for 2.23% of the total effect. Conclusion: Online interpersonal trust not only directly affects college students' online altruistic behavior, but also indirectly influences it through moral identity and online social support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children ingesting corrosive substances face persistent physical, psychological, and social challenges. Inadequate current support systems post-corrosive injuries highlight the necessity for robust structures to address psychosocial issues. This quasi-experimental study, with a two-group pretest-posttest design, implemented a nurse-led support group intervention in a university hospital's pediatric surgery ward. Sixty-five families participated (32 control, 33 intervention) from June 2021 and March 2022. Data, collected through pre-intervention and baseline assessments, used scales like the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Coping Styles Scale-Short Form, and Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale. Follow-up via phone interviews at 3 and 6 months, analyzed with SPSS 24, revealed statistically significant improvements in the intervention group's hospital anxiety scores (F = 22.044, p = 0.000, η2 = 0.259), Beach Center family quality of life scores (F = 28.954, p = 0.000, η2 = 0.315), and coping styles scale sub-dimensions: problem-focused coping, instrumental social support (X2 = 18.909, p < 0.000), and planning (X2 = 7.325, p < 0.026) at both follow-ups. In conclusion, the support group effectively reduced anxiety, enhanced coping, and improved overall quality of life for families dealing with corrosive substance ingestion. Nurses are urged to implement similar interventions, using a multidisciplinary approach to address challenges faced by families with children ingesting corrosive substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gay men living with HIV/AIDS (GMLHA) in China face the dual discrimination from stigmatization of HIV/AIDS and the marginalization of sexual orientation. Online social communities have become an increasingly important channel for them to seek and share health information. This study aims to examine the actual impact of online social support exchange on GMLHA's health self‐management in China. In this study, results of a questionnaire survey conducted in China's Weibo community (N = 303) showed that offering online social support can positively predict both physical and psychological health self‐management. Moreover, receiving online social support in the GMLHA online community can enhance the HIV/AIDS patient's mental health self‐management but does not forecast an improvement in the physical health self‐management level. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within tbe theory of planned bebavion online social support from contacts on social networking sites bas shown significant effects on physical activitv bebaviors. However, tbe influence of sport-related short video pladorms on physical activity participation bas not been widely examined. Therefore, tbis study explores tbe impact of online social support from sport-related short video platforms on university students' leisure-time pbysical activity (LTPA) intention. Tms study collected 475 responses tbrougb C.bina's most popular socialmedia platforms. University students completed a questionnaireassessingperceivedonline social support, affectiue and instrumental attitudes, subjective norms, perceived bebavioral control, and LTPA intention. Results showed tbat onlinesocial support from sport-related short videoplatforms directly and indirectly predicted university students' LTPA intention tbrougb tbe mediation effects of affective attitude and subjective norm. Utilizing sport-relited short video platforms to provide online social support can be a promising strategy for promoting individuals' intention to engage in LTPA in future interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the continuous development of new media and mobile communication technologies, social media has significantly influenced people's daily thoughts and behaviors. For young people, social media is a platform for social interaction, and studies have found that social media helps Chinese graduates find employment. This study examined how social media use and its related factors affect employment anxiety. The data was collected from 1,204 Chinese youth through an online survey. The results showed that: (1) the intensity of social media use had a positive predictive effect on employment anxiety; (2) upward social comparison and online social support individually separately mediate the positive relationship between the intensity of social media use and employment anxiety; and (3) self-esteem negatively moderates the effect of upward social comparison and effect of online social support on employment anxiety. The study underscores the importance of reasonable social media usage strategies, positive social perception, and healthy self-perception for fostering a positive employment mindset among youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The diversity of information on social media provides a ubiquitous possibility for social comparison. Online social comparisons have both detrimental and beneficial effects; besides lowering one’s self-esteem, heightening loneliness and addiction, they also bring together people with similar interests which may offer a form of social support. Aims: This study examines a path model for understanding the link between social comparison and social media addiction while examining online social support, loneliness, and self-esteem. Methods: Hungarian university students (N = 201, 70.6% women, aged between 18 and 30 years, SD = 2.77) completed an online survey in the spring of 2022. Results: The final path model suggests that social comparison can directly contribute to social media addiction. This link was mediated by loneliness and self-esteem, resulting in a path with different outcomes: a) social comparison may strengthen loneliness (β = .22, p < .001) which can lead to lower self-esteem (β = .60, p < .001), and b) social comparison may have a negative effect on self-esteem (β = -.22, p < .001) which can reduce social media addiction (β = -.26, p < .001). In addition, social comparison may help obtain online social support (β = .15, p < .050) which can reduce loneliness (β = -.41, p < .001) but increase the likelihood of addiction (β = .26, p < .001). Conclusions: These findings draw attention to the double-edged sword of social comparison and online social support: we need to learn to consciously manage online social comparison tendencies.

Online social support, with its novel opportunities for coping, is especially important for those experiencing isolation. Daughters-in-law in Azerbaijan are isolated and have inadequate support due to patriarchal and patrilocal norms, amplified when they experience infertility. This study considers an online community where supportive communication and resources are exchanged to mitigate infertility isolation. Using virtual ethnography and thematic analysis, three research questions related to different types of isolation are explored. We find support exchanges in this community can likely help women more efficiently and effectively cope with, and have more control over, the immediate stressor of infertility and associated uncertainty, which is profound given the lack of supportive resources they would otherwise have. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyses the role of social support in Internet use, focusing on when it leads to problematic or functional use in male and female adolescents. Three research hypotheses state: (1) when offline social support is low, online social support leads to a problematic Internet use; (2) when offline social support is high, online social support leads to a functional Internet use; (3) significant differences between male and female adolescents in both the online and offline dimensions considered. Results showed that the positive social interaction factor of online social support positively predicts problematic Internet use and that the latter is negatively affected by offline social support (affectionate dimension). Furthermore, online social support predicts functional Internet use (positive social interaction factor), while offline social support has no such effect. Finally, gender differences occur: males show higher problematic Internet use, and a higher number of friends and acquaintances than females, while females show higher online and offline social support than males. Implications of this research are particularly relevant for schools (e.g., teachers), families (parents, caregivers, etc.), and policy maker, so that they can support adolescents in the construction and development of offline friendly relationships and promote a functional use of the Internet for preventing its negative effects with active educational policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the theoretical frameworks of the theory of triadic influence (TTI) and the buffering hypothesis, this study was designed to examine whether the relationship between depression and Internet addiction (IA) was mediated by refusal self-efficacy of Internet use and whether real-life and online social support moderated the effect of depression on refusal self-efficacy of Internet use among adolescents. A sample of 1127 junior high school students from Taiwan completed a self-report battery that included measures of depression, online social support, real-life social support, refusal self-efficacy of Internet use, and IA. The prevalence of depression and IA are 44.6% and 23% respectively. Structural equation modeling and bootstrapping analysis results showed that IA was significantly and positively predicted by depression and mediated by refusal self-efficacy of Internet use. Moreover, the results of the moderated mediation analyses revealed that real-life and online social support played a moderating role in the indirect effects of depression on IA through refusal self-efficacy of Internet use, such that indirect effects were attenuated by an increase of online social support, and in contrast, those effects promoted the increase of real-life social support. The results supported the TTI framework and the buffering hypothesis. The moderated mediating role of online and real-life social support and refusal of self-efficacy of Internet use in the relationship between depression and IA were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the Compensatory Internet Use Theory (CIUT) framework, online activities may compensate for psychosocial problems. However, those who attempt to satisfy their needs or mitigate their fears via Social Networking Sites (SNSs) may be at heightened risk for problematic use of SNSs (PSNSU), especially in cases when these fears have an interpersonal basis, and the individual effectively finds online social support. The current study hypothesizes that interpersonally-based fears (i.e., fear of no mattering, fear of intimacy, and fear of negative evaluation) predict PSNSU, and online social support moderates these associations. Four hundred and fifty Italian participants (Mage = 27.42 ± 7.54; F = 73.5%) take part in the study. As examined by path analysis, the three interpersonal fears were positively associated with PSNSU, and online social support significantly moderates the relationship between fear of negative evaluation and PSNSU. The model accounted for 19% of the variance of PSNSU and showed good fit indices. The associations' strengths decrease as age increases. Overall, the current study finds further support for the theory that motivations need to be taken into account when it comes to internet uses (i.e., CIUT) and extends our understanding by highlighting that online social support might reinforce the link between the fear of being negatively evaluated and PSNSU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore tlie mechanism of online social participation affecting the health of the elderly through online social support and online risk exposure, and to explain the regulatory role of intergenerational cohabitation. Methods The data of online social participation and health status of people over 60 years old in Henan Province in 2023 were selected, and the moderated mediating effect, moderating effect, and regulated mediating effect were tested with the moderated intermediary effect model in PROCESS4.0 macro program. Results Online social participation positively affected online social support 0二 1.734, P < 0,001) and online risk exposure 0=1.453, P < 0.001). Online social support positively affected physical health (0= 0183, P < 0,001) and mental health 0=0.39& P < 0.001). Online risk exposure negatively affected physical health (0二一 0,490, P < 0.001) and mental health 0二一0.59& P < 0.001). The interaction between online social participation and intergenerational cohabitation negatively affected online risk exposure (j8=-0.784, P < 0.001), and the mediating effect differences between intergenerational cohabitation group and non-intergenerational cohabitation group were 0.384 (95%CZ: 0.146-0.678) and 0.469 (95%CZ: 0.205-0.778) respectively on the physical/mental health path of online social participation. Conclusion Online social participation has a positive impact on the physical and mental health of the elderly through online social support, and a negative impact on physical and mental health through online risk exposure. Intergenerational cohabitation weakens the positive impact of online social participation on online risk exposure and the intermediary effect of online risk exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of social networking sites (SNS) is highly prevalent among college and university students. Conflicting findings were found on the effects of SNS use on well-being, and very few studies examined the effects of social interaction with strong ties and weak ties on SNS on online and offline social support. The present study examined the association between social interaction with weak ties and strong ties on SNS and life satisfaction among Chinese college and university students. The mediating role of online social support and offline social support was also examined. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 26,547 students from 30 colleges/universities in Shanxi province, China. Social interaction with strong ties on SNS was associated with increased offline social support but had no significant association with online support. Social interaction with weak ties on SNS was associated with higher level of online support, but lower level of offline social support. Both offline and online social support were associated with life satisfaction. The direct effects of social interaction with strong ties and weak ties on life satisfaction were not significant. Mediation analyses supported the full mediating effect of offline social support in the relationship between social interaction with strong ties and life satisfaction, while online and offline support mediated the relationship between social interaction with weak ties and life satisfaction. Social interaction with strong ties and weak ties on the SNS was associated with life satisfaction through different pathways. Interventions to maximize the benefits of SNS use are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The spread of the coronavirus has led to significant anxiety among university students, resulting in various mental health problems that could potentially impact their academic performance. Method To examine the mediating role of emotional regulation and online social support in the relationships between COVID-19 psychological pressures, depression, and the fear of missing out (FoMO) among young adult university students, a cross-sectional research design was employed using an online survey. The sample consisted of 521 full-time university students from China, currently enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Results Findings revealed that more than half (55.09%, n=287) of the university students experienced COVID-19 psychological pressures. These pressures directly contributed to increased levels of depression (β = 0.339, p < .001) and fear of missing out (β = 0.236, p < .001). Moreover, online social support and emotional regulation exhibited partial mediating effects on the association between COVID-19 psychological pressures, depression, and the fear of missing out. The results indicated that COVID-19 psychological pressures were linked to higher levels of depressive symptoms and a greater fear of missing out among university students. Conclusions However, the provision of timely and adequate online social support, as well as the implementation of emotional regulation strategies, mitigated the negative effects of the pandemic on students' social and emotional well-being. Consequently, this led to reduced levels of depression and fear of missing out.

Abstract Background Before the pandemic, research had already established the potential impact of perceived life stress and social support on the mental health status of Chinese students. However, in the Post-COVID Era, the specific mechanisms linking these variables and the distinct role of online social support remain relatively unexplored. Methods After the cessation of China’s dynamic zeroing policy, a total of 1180 university students from Northwestern China participated in this study by completing a demographic questionnaire, as well as self-report measures assessing mental health, perceived life stress, and online social support. Results Approximately 25% of students exhibited psychological symptoms. When examining different categories of perceived life stress, males reported experiencing a significantly greater impact in terms of punishment and interpersonal relationships compared to females. Females experienced significantly higher levels of learning pressure compared to males. Specific types of perceived life stress were found to be significant predictors of students’ mental health status. Moreover, online social support was identified as a significant moderator in the relationship between all types of perceived life stress and mental health, irrespective of gender. Conclusion Our study findings unveiled two significant aspects: Firstly, the impact of perceived life stress on the mental health of students was identified as a risk factor. Secondly, the role of online social support emerged as a protective factor, particularly in the post-pandemic context. Additionally, gender-specific patterns were observed in these relationships.

In China, social media has altered how clients and businesses talk about poor service. Customers now use social media to voice their complaints and disappointment when service faults occur. This study aims to examine the impact of online social support on customer complaint intentions on social media, as well as discuss the role of personality traits, particularly proactive personality, as a boundary condition in this relationship. In 2023, a survey of 348 college students was conducted and analyzed using hierarchical regression and confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis, mediating analysis, as well as moderating analysis. The results revealed that online information support and emotional support had a positive impact on customers' continued complaint intentions on social media. This study suggests that the complex nature of customer complaints on social media requires a creative management strategy, with possible implications for use in social service agencies. Moreover, these research findings indicate the relationship between information support, emotional support, and customer continued complaint intentions on social media. This study recommends that future research could include more study samples to attain better results to see if these results would also apply directly to the social service area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe provision of information and emotions is the core competitive edge for mobile apps to attract users to utilize their services and functionalities. Considering user demands and gender differences, it holds great significance for mobile apps to optimize personalized services by elucidating the formation mechanism of privacy disclosure behavior from the perspective of online social support (information and emotional). We adopt online social support theory and construct a model based on Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) framework to collect questionnaire data from 548 respondents for empirical analysis. The results showed that both online information support and online emotional support have direct or indirect positive effects on privacy disclosure behavior, with perceived justice and privacy concern mediating this effect. Perceived justice has a negative impact on privacy concern. Besides, females exhibit higher levels of privacy concern and lower levels of disclosure, and there are differences in the types of demand support between males and females in privacy decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Technology is changing theway individuals socially connect. However, not much is known about how online forms of social exchanges might link to outcomes that predict longevity. This preregistered study examined the association between online social support and social negativity with self-rated health (SRH) and potential pathways responsible for such links. Method: In this preregistered analysis, a sample of 1,356 U.S. residents was recruited based on the U.S. Census track. Participants were at least 18-year-old social media users and completed the study online. Well-validated measures of online social support, online social negativity, general offline perceived support, internet addiction, social anxiety, and SRH were obtained. Results: Main results indicate that both online social support and social negativity were related to better SRH. However, the association between social negativity and better SRH was due to its statistical overlap with online social support. The association between online social support and SRH was primarily mediated by offline social support. Conclusions: These results highlight the importance of considering how positive and negative online social interactions are related to health outcomes. It also highlights potential pathways that might be targeted for interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background A growing body of literature demonstrates that social media usage has witnessed a rapid increase in higher education and is almost ubiquitous among young people. The underlying mechanisms as to how social media usage by university students affects their well-being are unclear. Moreover, current research has produced conflicting evidence concerning the potential effects of social media on individuals' overall well-being with some reporting negative outcomes while others revealing beneficial results. Methods To address the research gap, the present research made an attempt to investigate the crucial role of social media in affecting students’ psychological (PWB) and subjective well-being (SWB) by testing the mediating role of self-esteem and online social support and the moderation effect of cyberbullying. The data in the study were obtained from a sample of 1,004 college students (483 females and 521 males, M age = 23.78, SD = 4.06) enrolled at 135 Chinese universities. AMOS 26.0 and SPSS 26.0 as well as the Process macro were utilized for analyzing data and testing the moderated mediation model. Results Findings revealed that social media usage by university students was positively associated with their PWB and SWB through self-esteem and online social support, and cyberbullying played a moderating role in the first phase of the mediation process such that the indirect associations were weak with cyberbullying reaching high levels. Conclusion These findings highlight the importance of discerning the mechanisms moderating the mediated paths linking social media usage by young adults to their PWB and SWB. The results also underline the importance of implementing measures and interventions to alleviate the detrimental impacts of cyberbullying on young adults’ PWB and SWB.

Abstract Online communication is one of the most significant factors that affect the growth and development of contemporary college students. The purpose of this study was to examine the mechanisms of online social support in the relationship between online communication and the positive psychological capital of college students in China. Drawing on social exchange theory, the research employed a sample of 1,212 Chinese college students and incorporated online social support as a mediating variable. The investigation constructed a research model using the College Students’ Online Communication Questionnaire, Online Social Support Questionnaire, and Positive Psychological Capital Questionnaire to examine the intricate relationship among online communication, online social support, and positive psychological capital. The study found that both online self-expression and online extended relationship actions positively influenced students’ positive psychological capital. However, online social participation did not demonstrate an impact on this measure. Furthermore, online social support was found to partially mediate the connection between online self-expression and positive psychological capital as well as between online extended relationships and positive psychological capital. Online social support fully mediated the relationship between online social participation and positive psychological capital.

Perceived social support and stress have been extensively examined in the literature. However, changes in online technology and changing student demographics have brought the question of whether online social support has the same benefits or effects as offline support among college students. The present study examined the role of social support modalities (online and offline) in students' perception of support and stress across gender, age, course load, and the role of students (traditional and non-traditional). A total of 396 college students participated in a survey. The findings revealed that the perceived support through online modality is higher than offline modality. While the perceived support among traditional students remained the same across both online and offline modalities, the support through offline modality reduced significantly among the non-traditional students. In terms of the perceived stress, the traditional females demonstrated higher stress than their male counterparts, whereas it was somewhat the same across genders for non-traditional students. Finally, females who were enrolled in 13 or more credit hours perceived more stress than males with the same course load. The findings indicate that the online support modality is the emerging strategic tool for support and stress-buffering among college students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online communication has become an increasingly common phenomenon; however, the relationship between online social support and depressive symptoms and its mechanisms is unclear. This study aims to explore the mediating effect of self-esteem and the moderating effect of gender on the relationship between online social support and depressive symptoms. A total of 706 undergraduates completed anonymous questionnaires regarding online social support, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms. The results indicated that online social support was negatively associated with depressive symptoms and that self-esteem mediated the relationship between online social support and depressive symptoms. Moreover, gender moderated the first part of the mediation process, and the effect of online social support on self-esteem was more pronounced in the male group than in the female group. These findings can advance the understanding of how online social support is related to depressive symptoms, which has implications for the prevention and intervention of depressive symptoms in undergraduate students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article dissects the subject of online social support exchange on social networking sites, or SNS (mostly Facebook and Instagram) through the eyes of the platforms’ active users. Drawing on 20 semistructured in-depth interviews with SNS users from Ukraine, it discusses both the benefits of support exchange in the online realm, such as speed, resilience, unobtrusiveness, and its drawbacks, such as depersonalization, ‘ghosting,’ and privacy concerns. The text also explores the sentiments towards some of the main digital instruments of exchanging support on SNS, in particular posts and various forms of “likes,” as well as the perceived effectiveness of online social support in general. Additionally, it provides some context on how the phenomenon has been impacted by the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Abstract Background During public health emergencies, online community users can obtain social support and assistance through information interaction in the online community. This study takes the COVID-19 pandemic as the context and aims to analyze the influence of user information interaction in online communities on the acquisition of social support during this public health emergency. Methods Data collected from help-seeking posts in the “COVID-19 Patients Help-Seeking Dialog” subforum on China’s Sina Weibo were used as the research sample. The influence of the frequency of interaction and responsiveness on help seekers’ receipt of online social support was analyzed, and the moderating effect of help seekers’ identity type and intensity of online community use was explored. Results The results reveal that the frequency of interaction positively impacts informational support (β = 0.367, p

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A growing body of literature demonstrates that social media usage has witnessed a rapid increase in higher education and is almost ubiquitous among young people. The underlying mechanisms as to how social media usage by university students affects their well-being are unclear. Moreover, current research has produced conflicting evidence concerning the potential effects of social media on individuals' overall well-being with some reporting negative outcomes while others revealing beneficial results. Methods: To address the research gap, the present research made an attempt to investigate the crucial role of social media in affecting students' psychological (PWB) and subjective well-being (SWB) by testing the mediating role of self-esteem and online social support and the moderation effect of cyberbullying. The data in the study were obtained from a sample of 1,004 college students (483 females and 521 males, Mage = 23.78, SD = 4.06) enrolled at 135 Chinese universities. AMOS 26.0 and SPSS 26.0 as well as the Process macro were utilized for analyzing data and testing the moderated mediation model. Results: Findings revealed that social media usage by university students was positively associated with their PWB and SWB through self-esteem and online social support, and cyberbullying played a moderating role in the first phase of the mediation process such that the indirect associations were weak with cyberbullying reaching high levels. Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of discerning the mechanisms moderating the mediated paths linking social media usage by young adults to their PWB and SWB. The results also underline the importance of implementing measures and interventions to alleviate the detrimental impacts of cyberbullying on young adults' PWB and SWB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online communication is one of the most significant factors that affect the growth and development of contemporary college students. The purpose of this study was to examine the mechanisms of online social support in the relationship between online communication and the positive psychological capital of college students in China. Drawing on social exchange theory, the research employed a sample of 1,212 Chinese college students and incorporated online social support as a mediating variable. The investigation constructed a research model using the College Students' Online Communication Questionnaire, Online Social Support Questionnaire, and Positive Psychological Capital Questionnaire to examine the intricate relationship among online communication, online social support, and positive psychological capital. The study found that both online self-expression and online extended relationship actions positively influenced students' positive psychological capital. However, online social participation did not demonstrate an impact on this measure. Furthermore, online social support was found to partially mediate the connection between online self-expression and positive psychological capital as well as between online extended relationships and positive psychological capital. Online social support fully mediated the relationship between online social participation and positive psychological capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background This study was designed to investigate potential gender differences in the interrelations between different types of stressful life events and non-suicidal self injury (NSSI) among Chinese youth, as well as to test the direct and moderating impacts of online social support on Chinese students’ NSSI engagement under the pressure of different types of stressful life events. Methods Based on the data of 2200 students from middle - highschools and universities in Northwestern China, gender difference (male/female binary) in stressful life events, online social support, NSSI and their correlations were analyzed in the study. Results Among different types of stressful life events, male students were reported to experience a significantly higher impact of punishment and interpersonal relationship than females. Female students only experienced significantly higher learning pressure than males; Gender difference was not indentified in NSSI among youth; Stressful life events related to punishment could significantly predict NSSI engagement among males. Stressful life events related to learning pressures, interpersonal relationships, and adaption were significantly correlated to NSSI engagement among females; Online social support didn’t had a significant direct effect on youth’s NSSI, although it did significantly moderate the relationship between specific types of stressful life events (i.e., loss, interpersonal relationships, adaption among males and all types among females) and their NSSI. Conclusion The present study has provided evidence of specified types of stressful life events being risk factors in affecting youth’s NSSI: For male students, the higher impacts of stressful life events related to punishment they experienced, the more likely they were about to engage in NSSI. For female students, stressful life events related to learning pressure, interpersonal relationships and adaption were all proved as significant predictors and risky factors of female youth’s NSSI; Online social support did not impact on individual’s NSSI engagement directly, but moderated it significantly as a protective factor.

Background: During public health emergencies, online community users can obtain social support and assistance through information interaction in the online community. This study takes the COVID-19 pandemic as the context and aims to analyze the influence of user information interaction in online communities on the acquisition of social support during this public health emergency. Methods: Data collected from help-seeking posts in the "COVID-19 Patients Help-Seeking Dialog" subforum on China's Sina Weibo were used as the research sample. The influence of the frequency of interaction and responsiveness on help seekers' receipt of online social support was analyzed, and the moderating effect of help seekers' identity type and intensity of online community use was explored. Results: The results reveal that the frequency of interaction positively impacts informational support (β = 0.367, p < 0.001) and negatively impacts emotional support (β=-0.240, p < 0.001), and the responsiveness of other users toward help-seeking posts positively impacts emotional support (β = 0.145, p < 0.01). Moreover, help seeker's identity type and intensity of online community use significantly moderate the relationship between the frequency of interaction and the emotional support obtained by the help seeker. Conclusions: The study highlights the impact of user information interaction on obtaining help-seeking information from online communities for social support. The initiative would facilitate the resolution of issues related to users' information help-seeking during public health emergencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundPancreatic cancer is an extremely malignant disease that poses a serious threat to the mental health of patients. Many cancer patients now use social media for online social support. However, the impact of social media on mental health is currently inconsistent in the academic community. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the mediating effects of online social support and psychological resilience in the relationship between social media use and mental health of pancreatic cancer patients.MethodsFour hundred and twenty-five valid questionnaires were collected through convenience sampling. All data were processed using SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 26.0. We examine the influence relationships among latent variables by constructing a structural equation model. Then SPSS Process Macro was used to test the chain mediating effect of the model.ResultsThe results showed that (1) anxiety situations occurred in 22.2% of participants (N = 94), while the incidence of depression was 20.2% (N = 86). (2) Social media use positively influenced online social support (β = 0.990, p

Many studies have shown that passive use of mobile social networks affects people's physical and mental health. However, few studies have explored the association between neuroticism and passive use of social networks, and the mediating factors that may indirectly contribute to this relationship. Therefore, the present study sought to investigate the relationship between neuroticism and passive use of mobile social networks and explore the sequential mediating role of fear of missing out (FOMO) and online social support. In the present study, data from a total of 531 Chinese undergraduates were collected by using the Chinese Big Five Personality Inventory, Online Social Support Scale, the Fear of Missing Out Scale, and Passive Use of Mobile Social Networks Scale. The results showed that neuroticism positively predicted passive use of mobile social networks through the indirect paths of FOMO and online social support and the chain mediating path of “online social support-FOMO”.

Objective: To evaluate the online social support obtained by parents of children with autism. Methods: The social network location and post text features of the members in the online community were selected as model indicators to build a quantitative evaluation model of online social support. Two autism microblog communities were selected for analysis, and two parenting micro-blog communities were used as controls. Totally 408 parents of children with autism and 550 parents of normal children were included. Social network analysis and text analysis methods were used to explore the location of social networks and the characteristics of post texts, and the evaluation model was used to analyze the online social support acquisition of parents of autistic children. Results: The results of social network analysis showed that the closeness centrality of parents of autistic children in online communities was significantly higher than that of parents of normal children (P <0.001). The results of text analysis showed that there were no significant differences in text characteristics among different communities (P>0.05).The model evaluation results showed that the online social support scores of different communities were significantly different (P <0.001),and the online social evaluation scores were higher in parents of children with autism than in parents of normal children (Ps <0.001). Conclusion: Parents of children with autism form tight groups in the community and receive more online social support than parents of normal children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 has had a major impact on the global education system. In order to ensure the normal implementation of education courses, governments and education departments around the world have taken corresponding emergency measures. Based on data from 384 validated questionnaires, this study explored the effects of teleworking practices, work intensity, and online social support on social anxiety among primary and secondary school teachers. The results found that teleworking was more likely to cause social anxiety among teachers, while work intensity could promote social anxiety and online social support could reduce the probability of social anxiety. Work intensity can weaken the influence of partner support on social anxiety. Moreover, the model path coefficients differed across work styles. Based on the results, this study proposes some policy recommendations in order to provide theoretical guidance for improving social anxiety among primary and secondary school teachers and promoting the quality of educational work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A key research question with theoretical and practical implications is to investigate the various conditions by which social network sites (SNS) may either enhance or interfere with mental well-being, given the omnipresence of SNS and their dual effects on well-being. Method/process: We study SNS' effects on well-being by accounting for users' personal (i.e., self-disclosure) and situational (i.e., social networks) attributes, using a mixed design of content analysis and social network analysis. Result/conclusion: We compare users' within-person changes in self-disclosure and social networks in two phases (over half a year), drawing on Weibo Depression SuperTalk, an online community for depression, and find: 1 Several network attributes strengthen social support, including network connectivity, global efficiency, degree centralization, hubs of communities, and reciprocal interactions. 2 Users' self-disclosure attributes reflect positive changes in mental well-being and increased attachment to the community. 3 Correlations exist between users' topological and self-disclosure attributes. 4 A Poisson regression model extracts self-disclosure attributes that may affect users' received social support, including the writing length, number of active days, informal words, adverbs, negative emotion words, biological process words, and first-person singular forms. Innovation: We combine social network analysis with content analysis, highlighting the need to understand SNS' effects on well-being by accounting for users' self-disclosure (content) and communication partners (social networks). Implication/contribution: Authentic user data helps to avoid recall bias commonly found in self-reported data. A longitudinal within-person analysis of SNS' effects on well-being is helpful for policymakers in public health intervention, community managers for group organizations, and users in online community engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This meta -analysis examines the relationship between online social support (OSS) and problematic Internet use (PIU). • OSS is moderately and significantly correlated with PIU. • The relationship was more pronounced in studies with a higher proportion of female participants. • When PIU was measured by problematic social media use, the relationship with OSS was stronger than in studies that measured PIU by general problematic Internet use or problematic mobile phone use. The internet is a crucial platform for individuals to gain social support, enhancing their well-being. However, research indicated that while online social support (OSS) has positive aspects, it also carries potential drawbacks and can lead to problematic Internet use (PIU). This study aims to examine the complex relationship between OSS and PIU. Adhering to the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature search was performed across five English and three Chinese databases. A total of 1966 articles were initially screened by title, followed by abstract, and finally, full text. And the random-effects model was used to synthesize the included 31 studies. 31 studies were identified, encompassing a total sample of 22,375 participants. Meta-analysis revealed a moderate and significant correlation between OSS and PIU (r = 0.293), and it was significantly moderated by gender and the measurement methods of PIU. Notably, the relationship was more pronounced in studies with a higher proportion of female participants; when PIU was measured by problematic social media use, the relationship with OSS was stronger than studies that measured PIU by general problematic Internet use or problematic mobile phone use. These findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the association between OSS and PIU, and carry implications for identifying and addressing the potential risks associated with social support provision in the digital realm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multicomponent interventions with carers of people with dementia demonstrate positive effects on the health and quality of life for carers and care recipients. The World Health Organization's iSupport for Dementia is an evidence-based online psychoeducation programme for carers. However, the programme was mainly implemented as a self-learning tool which might have limited its positive effects on carers and care recipients. Evidence for online multicomponent interventions with carers that incorporates the iSupport programme remains unknown. This study aimed to partner with health and social care organisations to evaluate the effects of a facilitator-enabled online multicomponent Chinese iSupport programme, which included psychoeducation using the iSupport programme, facilitator-enabled carer support groups and access to care services. A multicentre randomised controlled trial. Participants were family carers in Australia and greater China. We recruited participants to the study from 1st November 2021 to 30th June 2022. The intervention group received the Chinese iSupport programme delivered online. The intervention lasted for 6 months. Our primary outcome was carers' quality of life. Our secondary outcomes were carers' self-efficacy, social support, distress reactions to changed behaviours, care recipients' frequency of changed behaviours, quality of life, unplanned hospital admissions, emergency department presentations and permanent admissions to nursing homes. The outcomes were measured at baseline (T0), 6 months (T1) and 9 months (T2). We applied a multivariate mixed effect linear regression model to capture the group effect, time effect and their interaction. In total, 266 eligible family carers agreed to participate and were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 131) or a usual care group (n = 135). Most carers were women with a mean age of 53 years. The intervention group showed a statistically significant higher score of mental-health-related quality of life (mean difference = 4.1, 95 % CI: 1.5, 6.8, p = 0.002), self-efficacy in controlling upsetting thoughts (mean difference = 7.1, 95 % CI: 2.2, 12.0, p = 0.005) and lower score of distress reactions to changed behaviours (mean difference = − 0.1, 95 % CI: − 0.3, − 0.03, p = 0.012) than the usual care group at T1. The facilitator-enabled online multicomponent Chinese iSupport programme demonstrated positive effects for carers on mental health-related quality of life, controlling upsetting thoughts and distress reactions to changed behaviours of people with dementia. This study is registered in the Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry on 12th March 2021 (ACTRN12621000276853). The facilitator-enabled online multicomponent Chinese iSupport programme improved family carers' mental health-related quality of life, control of upsetting thoughts and distress reactions to changed behaviours of people with dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent studies have highlighted mobile phone addiction (MPA) as a potential risk of suicidal ideation. However, the mechanisms underlying that association require attention. Objective: This investigation aims to examine whether the relationship between MPA and suicidal ideation would be mediated by depression, and buffered by online social support (OSS) in university students. Methods: A convenient sample of 1,042 Chinese university students completed the measures of mobile phone addiction, depression, suicidal ideation, OSS in classroom settings. Moderated mediation analyses were performed to test the roles of depression and OSS in the association between MPA and suicidal ideation. Results: MPA was positively associated with suicidal ideation through depression (indirect effect =. 23, 95% CI: 0.18, 0.28, p < 0.001); OSS moderated the association between depression and suicidal ideation (B = - 0.09, 95% CI: -0.13, -0.04, p < 0.001). Specifically, the effect of depression on suicidal ideation was weaker in individuals with high (versus low) OSS. OSS moderated the association between MPA and suicidal ideation (B = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.10, p = 0.001). The influence of MPA on suicidal ideation was non-significant among individuals with high OSS but negatively significant among students with low OSS. Conclusion: The results enrich the understanding of how MPA may increase suicidal ideation, and highlight the potential importance of reducing depression and enhancing OSS to prevent suicidal ideation in university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outbreak of COVID-19, especially the demands of social interaction and spatial distancing behavior, has led to a surge in Internet use, which has also led to an increase in loneliness. Therefore, we investigated the role of online social support and self-esteem in the relationship between Internet use preference and loneliness. In this study, 1053 college students were surveyed with a questionnaire based on the framework of Ecological System Theory, and a chain mediation model was established to clarify the mechanism between Internet use preference and loneliness. The results show that Internet use preference not only positively predicts loneliness, but also indirectly influences loneliness through the mediators of online social support and self-esteem, thereby impacting loneliness through the "online social support → self-esteem" chain. The results also indicate the need to pay attention to college students' mental health status during COVID-19. The advent of COVID-19 has impacted people's lifestyles and has changed the impact of the Internet on individual mental health. This study provides a new way to further understand college students' Internet use preferences, online social support, self-esteem, and loneliness status during COVID-19. It provides targeted interventions for college students' loneliness during COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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