Affiliation:
1. Colorado State University - Pueblo, Pueblo, CO, USA
Abstract
There is an increasing number of cannabis users joining online cannabis support forums seeking social support for their withdrawal attempts. In this study we propose a research model focused on online cannabis support forums, hypothesizing about the effects of the textual features of the subject lines of discussion threads and thread-initiating messages on the quality and helpfulness of discussion threads. We tested the proposed model by analyzing 27,167 discussion threads downloaded from a large online support forum for cannabis quitters. The effectiveness of thread subject lines and the self-disclosure of emotion-related withdrawal symptoms in thread-initiating messages positively predicted the amount of informational and emotional support received in a thread. The self-disclosure of behavioral physical-related withdrawal symptoms and the diversity of self-disclosure information predicted informational support but not emotional support. Additionally, the amount of informational and emotional support received in a thread were positively associated with the thread initiator's continued discussions in the thread. Lastly, emotional support, but not informational support, predicted the overall helpfulness of a thread. Research and practical implications of the study's findings are discussed.
Publisher
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Subject
Computer Networks and Communications,Management Information Systems
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