Online Social Support: The Interplay of Social Networks and Computer-Mediated Communication

"compels us to take a careful look at what is going on in internet communications...and points sociological inquiry in the right direction." - Dr. Peter Messeri, Columbia University Online support groups have become a familiar feature of the Internet's landscape. The ease of access to online groups allow physically debilitated and geographically disperse individuals to seek social support without limitations of material resources, proximity, and temporality. The ability of computer-mediated communication to provide support effectively remains an open question, and this book brings us much closer to the answer. This groundbreaking book provides a much needed understanding of the kinds of social support in an online support group. It also illuminates the practices that enable users to acquire the support they desire. Online Social Support is an invaluable resource for those studying the Internet in sociology, communications, psychology, and social work.