Open communication in immigrant families: the role of social media mental health exposure

Abstract

Immigrant experiences in the U.S. can be particularly difficult, yet research indicates that family support and engagement on social networking sites with others who experience mental health issues can ameliorate their difficulties and improve psychological wellness. In order to determine what factors are related to immigrants’ mental health communication behaviors with family, we conducted a survey among U.S. immigrants (N = 331). Results indicated that social media mental health exposure (SMMHE) was positively related to open communication. Further, self-stigma mediates the relationship between SMMHE and open communication, providing evidence for the idea that the mere exposure effect can influence attitudes and behavior. As such, it is possible that exposure to mental health content on social media may positively influence offline communication behaviors.