"Nice You Share in Return": Informational Sharing, Reciprocal Sharing, and Life Satisfaction Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Social media become an important space where people receive and share up-to-date health-related information during the rapid global spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). While information sharing in social media has been shown to improve relations, reduce stress, and enhance life satisfaction, little is known about reciprocal sharing. Situated in COVID-19 pandemic, this study conceptualizes information sharing as a communication process during which sharers expect the receivers to reciprocate, while receivers feel obligated to return the favor. Building upon social exchange theory and studies on social media sharing, the study tested a model of moderated mediation in which sharing of COVID-19 information was predicted to enhance life satisfaction by encouraging reciprocal sharing, i.e., information reciprocity. Subjective norms, attitudes, and perceived usefulness of the information was predicted to moderate the mediation. The hypothesized mediation was supported by data from a survey of 511 online participants in China. Furthermore, the indirect effect appeared stronger among the respondents who found the information more useful, reported more positive attitude, or perceived more subjective norms. The findings suggest that expected reciprocation may be an important incentive for social sharing, and received reciprocation may be a central part of the mechanism through which sharing benefits the sharer. Policymakers and communicators may need to take information reciprocity into consideration when designing health information campaign to confront communal threats.

Parasocial relationship in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: A moderated mediation model of digital media exposure on political trust among Chinese young people

“…Confronting the communal risk of COVID-19, individuals are encouraged to coordinate their actions to combat the pandemic. Liu, Huang, Zhan, and Zhao (2022) and Liu (2021) explained that individuals in China, a collectivist society, have been cultivated with a collective responsibility to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and they were likely to comply with governmental restrictions and prevention precautions that call for collective actions (e.g., wearing facemasks and getting vaccinated). As the Chinese government has managed to control COVID-19 rapidly and effectively with a low death toll, political trust in the Chinese government was strengthened.…”

WhatsApp groups: The nexus between retention, reciprocity, and user satisfaction

“…Higher level of reciprocity leads to stronger student's intention to say at the university Investigating the relationship between norm reciprocity and student satisfaction with their current learning institutions, this study hypothesizes a positive influence, aiming to contribute valuable insights into the dynamics of group interactions within educational settings. Studies examining both informational reciprocity and its link to student well-being (Li et al, 2015;Liu et al, 2023), and generalized reciprocity's connection to basic psychological needs (Liu et al, 2021) support this positive influence. Upholding group norms, like respecting diverse opinions and maintaining positive communication, creates a predictable and supportive environment, contributing to student satisfaction with the group dynamics.…”