Similarity, network convergence, and availability of emotional support as predictors of strong-tie/weak-tie support network preference on facebook

• Wright, Kevin ^[1]
  1. [1] University of Oklahoma

     University of Oklahoma

     Estados Unidos

     
• Localización: Southern communication journal, ISSN 1041-794X, Vol. 77, nº 5, 2012, págs. 389-402
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • This study examined predictors of strong-tie = weak-tie support network preference within a social networking site (Facebook) in a survey of 274 undergraduate students. The study focused on perceived similarity, network convergence, and availability of emotional sup- port as predictors of strong-tie = weak-tie online support network preference. In general, the findings indicated that increases in similarity, network convergence, and availability of emotional support predicted increases in strong-tie support preferences while decreases in these variables created increases in weak-tie support preferences. The theoretical impli- cations of the findings for social support within strong-tie = weak-tie networks as well as study limitations are discussed.