Online social support for single mothers in Japan

Abstract

Utopians claim that the Internet is providing new and better ways of engaging in community and finding information. Conversely, dystopians argue that the Internet lures people away from their in-person communities and informed discussions. These debates are usually characterized by opinion and anecdotal accounts rather than scientific analysis, and little is known about the actual structures and dynamics of online groups. This paper attempts to investigate the supportive aspect of computer-mediated communication and the types of social support found in a bulletin board system (BBS) intended for single mothers in Japan. Results from a content analysis illustrate that participants engage in an exchange of emotional, informational, and esteem support by means of online text messages, in the process, benefiting from the receipt of information, empowerment, encouragement, emotional support, and empathy regarding their specific concern. Themes of self-disclosure, reciprocity, and negative online exchange (flaming) will also be explored in this paper.