Language Style Matching as a Predictor of Perceived Social Support in Computer-Mediated Interaction Among Individuals Coping With Illness

Abstract

Several forms of computer-mediated communication (e.g., online support groups, blogs, social network sites) have been shown to be important resources for social support among individuals coping with illness. The reported study attempts to better understand social support processes in these settings by examining the implications of language style matching-a form of interpersonal coordination involving the degree to which speakers match one another's use of function words (e.g., articles, prepositions, pronouns). Language style matching among a sample of health bloggers and their readers over a 3-month period was tested as a predictor of bloggers' perceptions of support available from their readers. The results show that language style matching contributed to bloggers' perceptions that their readers are willing and able to serve as a resource for specific forms of social support.

Introducing rLSM: An integrated metric assessing temporal reciprocity in language style matching

“…Ireland and Pennebaker 2010Ireland and Pennebaker 2010introduced the metric most frequently used in psychological research on LSM in dyadic conversations (e.g., Cannava & Bodie, 2016;Ireland et al, 2011;Rains, 2015). In this metric, a weighted difference score is calculated for each LSM category.…”

She Said, She Said: Differential Interpersonal Similarities Predict Unique Linguistic Mimicry in Online Word of Mouth

“…Like behavioral mimicry, linguistic mimicry is ubiquitous and serves as a strategic "social glue" (we like those we mimic, and mimic those we like; ) that can have positive or negative consequences across a range of human interactions (Babcock et al 2014;Lord et al 2015;Kulesza, Dolinski, Huisman and Majewski 2013;Ludwig et al 2013;O'Donnell et al 2015;Rains 2015;Richardson et al 2014;Yilmaz 2015). For example, higher levels of linguistic mimicry increase romantic interest between individuals who are speed-dating (Ireland et al 2011), increase preferences for products (Tanner et al 2008), and increase team performance, trust, and cohesion (Gonzales et.…”

The Role of Online Discussion Forums in Newcomers' Labour Market Integration in Canada

“…Social support refers to the provision of resources by local contacts (e.g., information, money, emotional comfort) that can help individuals cope with uncertainty and manage stresses (Adelman, 1988;Stroppa and Spieß, 2011;Van Bakel et al, 2017). Computer mediated communications refer to interactions carried out by the use of Internet based technologies that facilitate interactions between individuals or among groups, such as online discussion forums, blogs, social network sites (e.g., Facebook), e-mail, and instant messaging (Rains, 2016;Rains and Wright, 2016). In the context of computer mediated communication and newcomers' labour market integration in the new country, social support refers to communication that helps individuals manage uncertainty and ambiguity about the new country's labour market environment and increases their perceptions of control regarding life through online interactions (Albrecht and Adelman, 1987;Goldsmith and Albrecht, 2011;Lin et al, 2016;Pan et al, 2017;.…”

“…For example, in online discussion forums newcomers seek not only factual information about various aspect concerning work, but also advice (e.g., opinions, guidance), instrumental help (e.g., samples of CVs and offer letters), and connection with others (e.g., seek friends). The examination of data and relevant literature on computer mediated communications (e.g., High and Solomon, 2011;Rains, 2016;Rains et al, 2015Rains and Wright, 2016) suggest that newcomers are trying to meet their social support needs with online discussion forums.…”

“…Social support literature is grounded on face-to-face interactions that do not problematize the issue of synchronicity (Rains, 2016;Rains and Wright, 2016). However, asynchronous computer mediated interactions are different from synchronous face-to-face interactions (Kalman, 2007;Rains and Wright, 2016).…”