Gender as moderator of the effects of online social support from friends and strangers: a study of Singaporean college students
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
Gender differences in Internet use may affect how women and men respond to online support (OS) provided by friends and strangers. The present study compared the psychological effects of brief OS provided by a same-gender, same-ethnicity friend or stranger in young Singaporean women (n = 73) and men (n = 60). After random assignment to 1 of 3 groups (supportive friend, supportive stranger, nothing), Singaporean university students completed stressor tasks before and after instant messaging with a friend or stranger, or doing nothing. The findings showed that OS from a friend attenuated women’s negative emotional responses to stress, whereas OS from a stranger was ineffective in regulating women’s negative affect. In contrast, men did not show significant changes in negative affect in association with OS provided by a friend or a stranger. The findings were consistent with gender differences in Internet use, where women use the Internet to seek social support and men to gather information.
Journal
International Perspectives in Psychology: Research, Practice, Consultation
Publication Name
International Perspectives in Psychology: Research, Practice, Consultation
Volume
4
ISBN/ISSN
2157-3891
Edition
N/A
Issue
4
Pages Count
13
Location
N/A
Publisher
American Psychological Association
Publisher Url
N/A
Publisher Location
N/A
Publish Date
N/A
Url
N/A
Date
N/A
EISSN
N/A
DOI
10.1037/ipp0000040