Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This study investigated on-line support group members’ perceptions of supportive communication within on-line groups dealing with health-related concerns among (N = 136) on-line support group participants. The findings indicate that sense of community/similarity and lack of judgment/stigma were the most important advantages of on-line support group users, emotional and esteem support were perceived more positively than informational support, and participants had largely positive views of on-line support providers. The implications of the findings in terms of previous research on social support and computer-mediated communication are discussed.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The volunteer workforce saves nonprofit organizations substantial sums of money each year while simultaneously contributing to goals of diverse social change organizations. Consequently, it is necessary to effectively manage, evaluate, and recognize volunteers’ efforts in order to reduce the likelihood of turnover. One key component of volunteer management is social support. Norms of support vary from one organization to the next, and thus are learned through socialization. New volunteers learn what is expected of them and also develop expectations of what life will be like in the organization. More specifically, they develop expectations about the support they will provide to the organization, and the support they, in turn, can expect to receive. These expectations of support, coupled with the reality of organizational life, can impact volunteer commitment to an organization. This study focuses on the role of socialization in the development of support expectations and support enactment at a small, social service, nonprofit, AIDS-related agency, finding that the expectations of and experiences with support, or the (mis)matching of the ideal, as developed through training, perceptions of the atmosphere, and observations of organizational norms, and the real (reality of support) as constructed through interaction, contributed to different membership experiences for volunteers.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Data from four nationally representative surveys show that retrospective support for the war with Iraq (May and August, 2003) is substantially larger than prospective support for the war (January and February, 2003). We explored which groups of respondents were most likely to shift their opinions over time. Further, in three experimental studies, we attempted to recreate these temporal effects by manipulating the context of the questions. As expected, the context of the questions affected the expressed support for the war. For example, at the end of May, when initial questions subtly framed the war as relatively quick, cheap, and painless in terms of American casualties, respondents were more likely to express support for the war and a number of specific unilateral policies. However, in September, when initial questions reminded respondents about the post-war situation, expressed support for the war was reduced. We observed similar effects by making different justifications for the war salient. The policy implications of the findings are discussed.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This manuscript presents a conceptual model of social support network preference that draws upon Socio-Emotional Selectivity Theory (Lockenhoff & Carstensen, 2004) and weak tie network theory (Granovetter, 1973, 1982, 1983), and social network analysis (Berkowitz, 1982). Although these theories/approaches contain overlapping propositions that have implications for individuals facing health concerns, previous research has not synthesized these theories/approaches. The present manuscript is an attempt to synthesize propositions from these theories. In addition, it presents a conceptual model of social support network preference based upon these theories. Moreover, it provides a number of implications of examining social support network preference from this perspective, limitations of the conceptual model, and directions for future research.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This study examined perceptions of support providers, emotional support, and perceived stress among college students using Facebook.com. Specifically, the study focused on the relationship between perceptions of emotional support from fellow Facebook users and perceived stress. In addition, it examined the relationship between a number of key source perceptions (homophily, attraction, composure, extroversion, sociability) and perceptions of emotional support. The findings indicated that perceived emotional support from Facebook users was predictive of lower perceived stress. Moreover, perceptions of homophily, attraction, composure, extroversion, and sociability concerning potential support providers were all predictive of increased emotional support. The implications of these findings for computer-mediated communication and social support research are discussed along with key limitations of the study.