Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Previous research on online health communities found positive health benefits for participants. This paper accessed engagement and social support among members of smoking cessation online communities, hypothesizing that perceived social support would be correlated positively with participation and smoking cessation self-efficacy, and also mediate the relationship. Posters and lurkers would also differ significantly in perceived social support and self-efficacy. Data gathered from smoking cessation online communities confirmed these hypotheses. Implications for future research are discussed.