A social network analysis of supportive interactions on prenatal sites

Abstract

ObjectiveThe purpose of this exploratory study was to validate and extend previous research on social support by identifying which dimensions of social support are most commonly exchanged on health-related social networking sites and how social network structure varies with each support dimension exchanged.MethodsThis research applies a multiple case study approach by examining two social networking sites that focus on pregnancy and prenatal health. For one month, support seeking and providing messages were content analyzed and a social network analysis examined the connections between members.ResultsThe sample size consisted of 525 support-seeking messages and 1965 support-providing messages. Findings indicate that participants requested informational and emotional support more than esteem and network support, with no requests for tangible support. Findings also suggest participants substituted emotional support for informational support when they were unable to provide the information sought. The social network analysis showed that network structure varied across support dimensions, with the informational and emotional support networks having the largest number of members and greatest density and reciprocity.ConclusionsThis study suggests that online support networks are fairly effective in meeting participants’ needs. The support dimension sought was generally provided and when it was not another dimension of support may have been substituted; thus, participants may have benefitted in unintended ways. The data also suggest there may be an optimal network size to support member engagement, whereby too large of a network may facilitate diffusion of responsibility and too small a network may not facilitate enough momentum to support a well-connected community.

It’s going to be okay: Measuring Access to Support in Online Communities

“…Despite substantial efforts to reduce gender disparities in online social contexts, gender gaps persist and, increasingly, negatively affect women through online harassment (Duggan, 2017). Online social platforms still serve a critical role for individuals as they seek to fill informational and emotional needs, frequently by interacting with others (Goswami et al, 2010;Chuang and Yang, 2012;Hether et al, 2016). The supportive replies of others help promote personal well-being (Mac-George et al, 2011), yet unsupportive replies can not only lead to distress but discourage online engagement altogether.…”

A Relational Approach to the Design for Peer Support

“…The structure and qualities influence each other because the former is a Literature studies revealed that most studies analyze the functional dimension of support relationships. Some studies suggested that a deeper understanding of support networks could be achieved by analyzing the relational dimension along with the functional [25][26][27][28]. For instance, analysis of the functional dimension reveals the properties and functions associated with social support (e.g., emotional, informational, and tangible support) [29], whereas the relational dimension offers insights into the structural characteristics of the network [26].…”

Social work involvement in the COVID-19 response in China: Interdisciplinary remote networking

“…This network approach has been actively used in social work practice and policy (Folgheraiter & Raineri, 2017). The organized social network gathers people with similar concerns and provides a forum for information and support, where participants can freely exchange resources (Hether et al., 2016). Social intervention refers both to intervention in society as a whole and also to specific intervention through the networking of people involved in a situation (Folgheraiter & Raineri, 2017).…”

“…To reduce the risk of infection while ensuring the continuity of services, new approaches like social network-based intervention should be promoted and further explored (Folgheraiter & Raineri, 2017; Mack et al., 2007). The advancement of communication technologies has expanded what interpersonal interactions can occur, and facilitated theory development focused on the inclusion of broad contextual systems and policies (Hether et al., 2016; Valente & Pitts, 2017). Determining the components for the successful deployment of online and offline social networking services during an emergency clearly presents a significant opportunity for future social work development.…”