Abstract Despite the use of online support groups within areas of child welfare, namely postadoptive services, research in this area has not kept pace. This study examined adoptive parent perceptions of a virtual platform utilized for an online support group, and the impact of these perceptions on information seeking effectiveness. Overall, findings indicate that participants viewed the platform as usable, flexible, and congruent with fostering adequate participant interaction. Perceived group interaction, satisfaction with group membership, and perceived usefulness of the virtual platform were all significant predictors of information seeking effectiveness. Data from this study suggest that ample consideration should be given to the form and function of - virtual platforms use to administer support groups. Implications for practice and apposite area of future research are discussed.

中文翻译：

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养父母中的虚拟支持小组：寻求信息的理想选择吗？

摘要尽管在儿童福利领域（即收养后服务）中使用了在线支持小组，但该领域的研究并未跟上进展。这项研究检查了父母对在线支持小组使用的虚拟平台的看法，以及这些看法对信息寻求有效性的影响。总体而言，调查结果表明，参与者认为该平台是有用，灵活的，并且与促进适当的参与者互动相一致。感知到的群体互动，对群体成员的满意度以及虚拟平台的有用性都是信息寻求有效性的重要预测因素。这项研究的数据表明，应充分考虑虚拟平台用于管理支持小组的形式和功能。