Interaction on Online Forums and Group Communication: A Case Study of an IT Support Community

Gritsenko, Vladimir

doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2016.12.004

Cited by 14 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 29 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…In this study, we argue that different group communication mechanisms may offer insights on the mixed findings. Previous studies have suggested that online participation is realized through group communication, which accounts for the majority of users’ personal experiences online (Gritsenko, 2016; Han et al, 2012; Ren et al, 2012; Ren, Kraut, & Kiesler, 2007). Group communication lies at the heart of OSGs and influences how people experience and understand support-related interactions (Cline, 1999).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Online Support Group Participation and Social Support: Incorporating Identification and Interpersonal Bonds

Zhu

Stephens

2019

Small Group Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

An increasing number of people with chronic diseases exchange social support using online support groups (OSGs). However, there is little understanding of group communication mechanisms that underpin the relationship between OSG participation and social support. Drawing on Prentice, Miller, and Lightdale’s common-identity and common-bond framework, we propose and test a theoretical model that explains group communication mechanisms through which members’ participation influences their perceived social support. In the process, we identified and empirically validated a three-factor solution for an OSG participation scale. Based on 356 users across 12 popular OSGs, we find that two group communication mechanisms—identification with the community and interpersonal bonds with other members—mediate the relationship between OSG participation and perceived social support. Specifically, identification has a stronger mediating effect than interpersonal bonds in the relationship between OSG participation and perceived social support. We also discuss theoretical and practical implications.

show abstract

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Online Support Group Participation and Social Support: Incorporating Identification and Interpersonal Bonds

Zhu

Stephens

2019

Small Group Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…9 Discussion threads in online forums can be viewed as a form of group communication, since they have the same features of face-to-face support groups, namely size, interdependence, task, identity, and norms. 10 Some popular sites like Facebook (FB) or Twitter have turned into community spaces where people affected by an LTD can interact with each other in a similar way to how they would on a forum. 11 With 1.59 billion daily active users on average, 12 Facebook is one of the most popular sites among today's population.…”

Section: Online Support Groupsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Participation of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes in Online Support Groups is Correlated to Lower Levels of Diabetes Self-Management

Herrero

Guerrero-Solé

Manchón

2020

J Diabetes Sci Technol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Support groups play an important role in diabetes understanding and education. This study aims to find connections between participating in diabetes-related online communities (groups and forums) and the self-reported degree of self-care management and health problems associated with type 1 and 2 diabetes. Methods: A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted and 307 participants were recruited. Participants were asked about diabetes self-care management (glucose management, healthcare, dietary restrictions, and physical activity) and complications related to the disease, as well as their participation in online social groups and forums (duration, time, and intensity). Results: Belonging to diabetes-related online support groups (OSGs) was associated with lower scores in healthcare and self-management of diabetes ( M = 2.98, SD = 1.07, n = 207, for belonging to OSGs; and M = 4.22, SD = 0.59, n = 97, for not belonging to OSGs). These differences were not statistically significant for type 1 diabetes individuals ( M = 4.33, SD = 0.47, n = 28, for belonging to OSGs, and M = 4.29, SD = 0.48, n = 52, for not belonging to OSGs), but were highly significant for type 2 diabetes (T2D) individuals ( M = 2.41, SD = 0.68, n = 144, for belonging to OSGs; and M = 4.14, SD = 0.64, n = 61, for not belonging to OSGs). People with both type 1 and 2 diabetes reported to have suffered more complications derived from diabetes when they belonged to an OSG, but greater statistically significant differences were found in type 2 individuals. Conclusion: Patients with T2D who participate in OSGs show a higher correlation with having lower levels of diabetes self-care management as well as health complications related to the disease.

show abstract

“…In web-forum interactions the content, context, timing, and structure of interaction are automatically recorded, providing rich group interaction data for researchers (Gritsenko, 2016). Web-forums are also selected for this study because they are commonly used in the academic, health and business settings where members come to share information among them.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Also, because problems faced by people today are often multi-faceted and require group rather than individual solutions (Ioannou, Brown, & Artino, 2015), Therefore, webforums serve as communication hubs for people who work together to solve particular problems (Gritsenko, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Speech Acts and Discourse Pattern in Information Sharing Practice in Malaysian Web-Forums

Shanthi

Thayalan

Suppiah

2019

KSS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Web-forum discussions are widely used in business, health and education and in general discussion virtually. This practice of sharing information via Internet is also known as Computer Mediated Discourse (CMD). By focusing on language used in web-forums, this study explores the practice of collaborative information sharing in Malaysian web-forums discourse by using Speech Acts Theory. The study found that forum-members used different speech acts to share information in an interactive manner. However, speech acts such as to explain, to suggest and to question were used more extensively than other types of speech acts. The study also found that speech acts to denote politeness such as to apologise, to greet were used in the web-forum interaction to sustain collaboration and camaraderie in online information sharing practices. The discourse pattern reveals that web-forum members interacted at two phrases; Phase 1 to seek general information about the topic of discussion, and Phase II to have a deeper discussion where new information is added to the topic of discussion that leads to new knowledge being created. The findings of the study can benefit our understandings on how best to conduct online interaction, be it in the business, health or academic sectors.

show abstract

Interaction on Online Forums and Group Communication: A Case Study of an IT Support Community

Cited by 14 publications

References 29 publications

Online Support Group Participation and Social Support: Incorporating Identification and Interpersonal Bonds

Online Support Group Participation and Social Support: Incorporating Identification and Interpersonal Bonds

Participation of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes in Online Support Groups is Correlated to Lower Levels of Diabetes Self-Management

Speech Acts and Discourse Pattern in Information Sharing Practice in Malaysian Web-Forums

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About