Online Support Groups for Depression in China: Culturally Shaped Interactions and Motivations

dc.contributor.authorZhang, Renwen
dc.contributor.authorEschler, Jordan
dc.contributor.authorReddy, Madhu
dc.date.accessioned2018-06-01T22:02:02Z
dc.date.available2018-06-01T22:02:02Z
dc.date.issued2018
dc.description.abstractOnline support groups have drawn considerable attention from scholars in the past decades. While prior research has explored the interactions and motivations of users, we know relatively little about how culture shapes the way people use and understand online support groups. Drawing on ethnographic research in a Chinese online depression community, we examine how online support groups function in the context of Chinese culture for people with depression. Through online observations and interviews, we uncover the unique interactions among users in this online support group, such as peer diagnosis, peer therapy, and public journaling. These activities were intertwined with Chinese cultural values and the scarcity of mental health resources in China. We also show that online support groups play an important role in fostering individual empowerment and improving public understanding of depression in China. This paper provides insights into the interweaving of culture and online health community use and contributes to a context-rich understanding of online support groups.en
dc.identifier.doi10.1007/s10606-018-9322-4
dc.identifier.pissnISSN 0925-9724
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherSpringer, London
dc.relation.ispartofComputer Supported Cooperative Work 27(3-4)- ECSCW 2018: Proceedings of the 16th European Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work
dc.relation.ispartofseriesECSCW
dc.subjectMental health
dc.subjectDepression
dc.subjectOnline support groups
dc.subjectCulture
dc.subjectStigma
dc.subjectEmpowerment
dc.titleOnline Support Groups for Depression in China: Culturally Shaped Interactions and Motivationsen
dc.typeText/Journal Article
gi.citations.count42
gi.citations.elementKatherine Jennifer Kelly, Shelley Doucet, Alison Luke, Rima Azar, William Montelpare (2022): Experiences, Motivations, and Perceived Impact of Participation in a Facebook-Based Support Group for Caregivers of Children and Youth With Complex Care Needs: Qualitative Descriptive Study, In: JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting 3(5), doi:10.2196/33172
gi.citations.elementVivek Pandey, Saibal K. Saha, Samrat Mukherjee, Sreerengan V. R. Nair, Ajeya Jha (2023): Impact of Perceived Social Support on Patient Empowerment: A Study of Online Patient Support Groups, In: Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering, doi:10.1007/978-981-99-1983-3_11
gi.citations.elementRobert V Kozinets, Daniela Abrantes Ferreira, Paula Chimenti (2021): How Do Platforms Empower Consumers? Insights from the Affordances and Constraints of Reclame Aqui, In: Journal of Consumer Research 3(48), doi:10.1093/jcr/ucab014
gi.citations.elementChelsea Kim, Hao-Chuan Wang (2022): From Receivers to Givers: Understanding Practice of Reciprocity in an Online Support Community, In: Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction CSCW1(6), doi:10.1145/3512938
gi.citations.elementRenwen Zhang, Natalya N. Bazarova, Madhu Reddy (2021): Distress Disclosure across Social Media Platforms during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Untangling the Effects of Platforms, Affordances, and Audiences, In: Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, doi:10.1145/3411764.3445134
gi.citations.elementYi-Chieh Lee, Naomi Yamashita, Yun Huang (2020): Designing a Chatbot as a Mediator for Promoting Deep Self-Disclosure to a Real Mental Health Professional, In: Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction CSCW1(4), doi:10.1145/3392836
gi.citations.elementJessica L. Feuston, Anne Marie Piper (2019): Everyday Experiences, In: Proceedings of the 2019 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, doi:10.1145/3290605.3300495
gi.citations.elementVictoria Johansson, Anna Sigridur Islind, Tomas Lindroth, Eva Angenete, Martin Gellerstedt (2021): Online Communities as a Driver for Patient Empowerment: Systematic Review, In: Journal of Medical Internet Research 2(23), doi:10.2196/19910
gi.citations.elementVictoria Johansson, Anna Sigridur Islind, Tomas Lindroth, Eva Angenete, Martin Gellerstedt (2020): Online Communities as a Driver for Patient Empowerment: Systematic Review (Preprint), doi:10.2196/preprints.19910
gi.citations.elementQiaolei Jiang, Yadi Zhang, Wenjing Pian (2022): Chatbot as an emergency exist: Mediated empathy for resilience via human-AI interaction during the COVID-19 pandemic, In: Information Processing & Management 6(59), doi:10.1016/j.ipm.2022.103074
gi.citations.elementSang-Wha Sien (2023): Designing for Inclusivity and Accessibility of Mental Health Technologies, In: Extended Abstracts of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, doi:10.1145/3544549.3577038
gi.citations.elementSachin R. Pendse, Kate Niederhoffer, Amit Sharma (2019): Cross-Cultural Differences in the Use of Online Mental Health Support Forums, In: Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction CSCW(3), doi:10.1145/3359169
gi.citations.elementHonglei Lia Sun, Pnina Fichman (2023): Evolution of discussion topics on an online depression self-help group, In: Library Hi Tech 4(42), doi:10.1108/lht-07-2022-0317
gi.citations.elementXin Li, Kaibin Xu (2024): “Accepting the Poem of Destiny”: Identity Reconstruction in a Chinese Online Depression Community, In: Qualitative Health Research, doi:10.1177/10497323241274723
gi.citations.elementRachel Kornfield, Renwen Zhang, Jennifer Nicholas, Stephen M. Schueller, Scott A. Cambo, David C. Mohr, Madhu Reddy (2020): "Energy is a Finite Resource": Designing Technology to Support Individuals across Fluctuating Symptoms of Depression, In: Proceedings of the 2020 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, doi:10.1145/3313831.3376309
gi.citations.elementAmanda Perry, Denise Pyle, Andrea Lamont-Mills, Carol du Plessis, Jan du Preez (2021): Suicidal behaviours and moderator support in online health communities: a scoping review, In: BMJ Open 6(11), doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047905
gi.citations.elementRenwen Zhang, Jiawei Sophia Fu (2020): Linking Network Characteristics of Online Social Networks to Individual Health: A Systematic Review of Literature, In: Health Communication 12(36), doi:10.1080/10410236.2020.1773703
gi.citations.elementEleanor R. Burgess, Madhu C. Reddy, Andrew Davenport, Paul Laboi, Ann Blandford (2019): "Tricky to get your head around", In: Proceedings of the 2019 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, doi:10.1145/3290605.3300895
gi.citations.elementStefan Hochwarter, Julian Schwarz, Felix Muehlensiepen, Eric Monteiro (2022): Becoming a Guest: On Proximity and Distance in Mental Health Home Treatment, In: Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) 3(32), doi:10.1007/s10606-022-09456-1
gi.citations.elementKatherine Jennifer Kelly, Shelley Doucet, Alison Luke, Rima Azar, William Montelpare (2022): Exploring the Use of a Facebook-Based Support Group for Caregivers of Children and Youth With Complex Care Needs: Qualitative Descriptive Study, In: JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting 2(5), doi:10.2196/33170
gi.citations.elementShefali Haldar, Yoojung Kim, Sonali R. Mishra, Andrea L. Hartzler, Ari H. Pollack, Wanda Pratt (2020): The Patient Advice System, In: Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction CSCW2(4), doi:10.1145/3415183
gi.citations.elementYating Chen, Pei Soo Ang, Charity Lee (2024): Affective incapacity of the depressed self: Evidence from a narrative study of an online depression community on Weibo, In: Emotion, Space and Society, doi:10.1016/j.emospa.2024.101041
gi.citations.elementEmily G. Lattie, Eleanor Burgess, David C. Mohr, Madhu Reddy (2021): Care Managers and Role Ambiguity: The Challenges of Supporting the Mental Health Needs of Patients with Chronic Conditions, In: Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) 1(30), doi:10.1007/s10606-020-09391-z
gi.citations.elementKatherine Kelly, Shelley Doucet, Alison Luke, Rima Azar, William Montelpare (2019): Social media and peer-to-peer support for individuals with health care needs and their caregivers: a scoping review (Preprint), doi:10.2196/preprints.16271
gi.citations.elementFatema Alhalwachi, Lisa J. McEntee-Atalianis (2024): From offline to online stigma resistance, In: Narrative Inquiry, doi:10.1075/ni.23108.alh
gi.citations.elementKatherine Jennifer Kelly, Shelley Doucet, Alison Luke, Rima Azar, William Montelpare (2021): Experiences, Motivations, and Perceived Impact of Participation in a Facebook-Based Support Group for Caregivers of Children and Youth With Complex Care Needs: Qualitative Descriptive Study (Preprint), doi:10.2196/preprints.33172
gi.citations.elementDaniel Kusaila, Natalie Gerhart (2023): Sarcastic emojis: why don’t you understand?, In: Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, doi:10.1108/gkmc-06-2023-0196
gi.citations.elementXun Zhang, Xinning Gui, Yubo Kou, Yukun Li (2020): Mobile Collocated Gaming, In: Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction CSCW2(4), doi:10.1145/3415213
gi.citations.elementYi Nam Suen, Kit Wa Sherry Chan, Ling Tsz Theresa Siu, Lik Hang Lincoln Lo, Charlton Cheung, Lai Ming Christy Hui, Ho Ming Edwin Lee, Wing Chung Chang, Pui Sze Wong, Yu Hai Eric Chen (2020): Relationship between stressful life events, stigma and life satisfaction with the willingness of disclosure of psychotic illness: A community study in Hong Kong, In: Early Intervention in Psychiatry 3(15), doi:10.1111/eip.13008
gi.citations.elementYao Lyu, John M. Carroll (2022): Cultural Influences on Chinese Citizens’ Adoption of Digital Contact Tracing: A Human Infrastructure Perspective, In: CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, doi:10.1145/3491102.3517572
gi.citations.elementYating Chen, Charity Lee, Pei Soo Ang (2024): Perspectivization in the thematic exploration of atypical depressive self-talk in an unmanaged online depression community on Weibo, In: Discourse, Context & Media, doi:10.1016/j.dcm.2024.100820
gi.citations.elementKatherine Jennifer Kelly, Shelley Doucet, Alison Luke, Rima Azar, William Montelpare (2021): Exploring the Use of a Facebook-Based Support Group for Caregivers of Children and Youth With Complex Care Needs: Qualitative Descriptive Study (Preprint), doi:10.2196/preprints.33170
gi.citations.elementYucheng Jin, Wanling Cai, Li Chen, Yuwan Dai, Tonglin Jiang (2023): Understanding Disclosure and Support for Youth Mental Health in Social Music Communities, In: Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction CSCW1(7), doi:10.1145/3579629
gi.citations.elementYuqian Yan, Jesús López-Alcalde, Elena Stallings, Elena Jimenez Tejero, Claudia M. Witt, Jürgen Barth (2024): Patient motivation as a predictor of digital health intervention effects: A meta-epidemiological study of cancer trials, In: PLOS ONE 7(19), doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0306772
gi.citations.elementQinyuan Lei, Kit Kuksenok, Ran Tang, Jingyi Guo, Ran Ji, Jiaxun LI (2023): Identity Struggles as Online Activism in China: A Case Study Based on "The Inviting Plan for 985 Fives" Community on Douban, In: Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction CSCW2(7), doi:10.1145/3610070
gi.citations.elementRachel Kornfield, Emily G. Lattie, Jennifer Nicholas, Ashley A. Knapp, David C. Mohr, Madhu Reddy (2023): "Our Job is to be so Temporary": Designing Digital Tools that Meet the Needs of Care Managers and their Patients with Mental Health Concerns, In: Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction CSCW2(7), doi:10.1145/3610093
gi.citations.elementKaylee Payne Kruzan, Natalya N. Bazarova, Janis Whitlock (2021): Investigating Self-injury Support Solicitations and Responses on a Mobile Peer Support Application, In: Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction CSCW2(5), doi:10.1145/3479498
gi.citations.elementZhenhui Peng, Xiaojuan Ma, Diyi Yang, Ka Wing Tsang, Qingyu Guo (2021): Effects of Support-Seekers’ Community Knowledge on Their Expressed Satisfaction with the Received Comments in Mental Health Communities, In: Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, doi:10.1145/3411764.3445446
gi.citations.elementJessica L. Feuston (2019): Algorithms, Oppression, and Mental Illness on Social Media, In: Extended Abstracts of the 2019 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, doi:10.1145/3290607.3299072
gi.citations.elementSang-Wha Sien, Shalini Mohan, Joanna McGrenere (2022): Exploring Design Opportunities for Supporting Mental Wellbeing Among East Asian University Students in Canada, In: CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, doi:10.1145/3491102.3517710
gi.citations.elementYingjie Lu, Taotao Pan, Shasha Deng (2019): What Drives Patients Affected by Depression to Share in Online Depression Communities? A Social Capital Perspective, In: Healthcare 4(7), doi:10.3390/healthcare7040133
gi.citations.elementNaveena Karusala, Victoria G, Shirley Yan, Richard Anderson (2023): Unsettling Care Infrastructures: From the Individual to the Structural in a Digital Maternal and Child Health Intervention, In: Proceedings of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, doi:10.1145/3544548.3581553
gi.conference.date4-8 June 2018
gi.conference.locationNancy, France
gi.conference.sessiontitleLong Papers
mci.conference.reviewfull

Files

Original bundle

1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
ecscw2018_zhang.pdf
Size:
346.82 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format