TY - JOUR
T1 - Reciprocal Communication in Online Health Support Groups
T2 - Effects of Message Format and Social Support on Individual Responses to Health Issues
AU - Wang, Weirui
AU - Shen, Fuyuan
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2017/4/3
Y1 - 2017/4/3
N2 - This study examines the extent to which message format and social support may affect individuals’ participatory responses in online health support groups and their subsequent affective and attitudinal responses. An experiment with a 2 (message format: narrative vs. nonnarrative) × 2 (social support: emotional support vs. informational support) between-subjects factorial design was conducted among 98 participants. Results indicated that narrative messages facilitated reciprocal communication. In turn, participants who provided such participatory responses reported less fear and sadness, more favorable health attitudes, and greater behavioral intentions.
AB - This study examines the extent to which message format and social support may affect individuals’ participatory responses in online health support groups and their subsequent affective and attitudinal responses. An experiment with a 2 (message format: narrative vs. nonnarrative) × 2 (social support: emotional support vs. informational support) between-subjects factorial design was conducted among 98 participants. Results indicated that narrative messages facilitated reciprocal communication. In turn, participants who provided such participatory responses reported less fear and sadness, more favorable health attitudes, and greater behavioral intentions.
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U2 - 10.1080/15213269.2016.1142381
DO - 10.1080/15213269.2016.1142381
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84961212750
SN - 1521-3269
VL - 20
SP - 240
EP - 266
JO - Media Psychology
JF - Media Psychology
IS - 2
ER -