Impacts on Society: Informational and Socio-Emotional Support in Virtual Communities and Online Groups

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Author(s): Shahar Gur (University of North Carolina at Charlotte, USA), Anita Lynn Blanchard (University of North Carolina at Charlotte, USA)and Lisa Slattery Walker (University of North Carolina at Charlotte, USA)
Copyright: 2016
Pages: 15
Source title: Analyzing Digital Discourse and Human Behavior in Modern Virtual Environments
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Bobbe Gaines Baggio (American University, USA)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-9899-4.ch010

Keywords: Human Aspects of Technology / Information Science Reference / Media & Communications / Virtual Communities & Virtual Reality

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Abstract

This chapter discusses the implications of giving and receiving social support in virtual communities and online groups. The chapter first offers a literature review about social support in general, and then delves into specific details about online social support. More specifically, this chapter focuses on informational and socio-emotional support, especially as they pertain to online groups and virtual communities. Three specific examples of online groups and virtual communities studied by the authors are offered, along with research findings and hypotheses. Finally, best practices are outlined for those who are interested in starting and maintaining an online group with the purpose of offering informational and/or socio-emotional support to potential users.

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Impacts on Society: Informational and Socio-Emotional Support in Virtual Communities and Online Groups

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