The Impact of Linguistic Signals on Cognitive Change in Support Seekers in Online Mental Health Communities: Text Analysis and Empirical Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In online mental health communities, the interactions among members can significantly reduce their psychological distress and enhance their mental well-being. The overall quality of support from others varies due to differences in people's capacities to help others. This results in some support seekers' needs being met, while others remain unresolved.

Objective

This study aimed to examine which characteristics of the comments posted to provide support can make support seekers feel better (ie, result in cognitive change).

Methods

We used signaling theory to model the factors affecting cognitive change and used consulting strategies from the offline, face-to-face psychological counseling process to construct 6 characteristics: intimacy, emotional polarity, th

SUBMITTER: Li M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11775492 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature