An increasing number of people with chronic diseases exchange social support using online support groups (OSGs). However, there is little understanding of group communication mechanisms that underpin the relationship between OSG participation and social support. Drawing on Prentice, Miller, and Lightdale’s common-identity and common-bond framework, we propose and test a theoretical model that explains group communication mechanisms through which members’ participation influences their perceived social support. In the process, we identified and empirically validated a three-factor solution for an OSG participation scale. Based on 356 users across 12 popular OSGs, we find that two group communication mechanisms—identification with the community and interpersonal bonds with other members—mediate the relationship between OSG participation and perceived social support. Specifically, identification has a stronger mediating effect than interpersonal bonds in the relationship between OSG participation and perceived social support. We also discuss theoretical and practical implications.

中文翻译：

---

在线支持小组参与和社会支持：结合身份认同和人际关系

越来越多的慢性病患者使用在线支持小组 (OSG) 来交换社会支持。然而，人们对支持 OSG 参与和社会支持之间关系的群体沟通机制知之甚少。借鉴 Prentice、Miller 和 Lightdale 的共同身份和共同纽带框架，我们提出并测试了一个理论模型，该模型解释了成员参与影响他们感知到的社会支持的群体沟通机制。在此过程中，我们确定并凭经验验证了 OSG 参与量表的三因素解决方案。基于 12 个流行 OSG 的 356 个用户，我们发现两种群体沟通机制——与社区的认同和与其他成员的人际关系——在 OSG 参与和感知社会支持之间起到中介作用。具体而言，在 OSG 参与和感知社会支持之间的关系中，认同比人际纽带具有更强的中介作用。我们还讨论了理论和实践意义。