Does recent research evidence support the hyperpersonal model of online impression management?

The hyperpersonal mode of communication was conceived in the 1990s and has driven much of the research into online impression management. It is based on four principal tenets (increased control, asynchronicity of communication, increased physical distance, increased cognitive resources) and has largely been supported, especially by research involving text-only communication. This review briefly summarises this research before identifying four areas in which it is not supported by findings: use of language in online environments, online self-disclosure, the expanding nature of online platforms to include pictures and video, and the wider context of online communication. We suggest that the model is modified and updated, or its limitations defined, with respect to this evidence

An online life like any other: identity, self-determination, and social networking among adults with intellectual disabilities

Research focusing on online identity and the personal experiences of adults with Intellectual disabilities (ID) is currently limited. Eleven adults with Intellectual disabilities were interviewed regarding personal experiences of being online and using social media. Data were analyzed qualitatively using thematic network analysis. Two global themes of ‘Online Relatedness and Sharing’ and ‘Online Agency and Support’ highlighted the positive potential of social media in enabling the development and maintenance of social bonds, valued social roles and feelings of enjoyment, competence, autonomy and self-worth. Participants reported sharing various expressed online identities, which did not focus on or hide impairment, challenging notions of dependency, with participants both providing support and being supported online

Internet Access by People with Intellectual Disabilities: Inequalities and Opportunities

This review gives an overview of the societal inequalities faced by people with intellectual disabilities, before focusing specifically on challenges people face accessing the Internet. Current access will be outlined along with the societal, support and attitudinal factors that can hinder access. Discussion of carer views of Internet use by people with intellectual disabilities will be covered incorporating consideration of the tension between protection, self-determination and lifestyle issues and gaining Internet access. We will address how impairment related factors may impede access and subsequently discuss how supports may be used to obfuscate impairments and facilitate access. We will move on from this to critically describe some of the potential benefits the Internet could provide to people with intellectual disabilities, including the potential for self-expression, advocacy and developing friendships. Finally, strategies to better include people with intellectual disabilities online will be given along with future research suggestions

Multi-media packaging and ergonomic appraisal

The main aim of a health and safety campaign is to persuade audiences to adopt or avoid certain types of behaviours. Subsequently, it is suggested that the manner in which this information is presented will be one important determining factor in the intervention's success. With the advent of inexpensive multi-media packaging it is possible to import great flexibility in design, combining sounds bites with graphical features. For example, one can use this to present images of celebrities or other icons. This review will consider the ergonomic factors which are important in the design of multi-media packaging

Emotional factors in initiatives to promote health and safety: Effects of mood state on compliance

Ever-increasing awareness of health and safety issues has led to various initiatives to promote healthier and more cautious living. This review considers the most effective approach in encouraging people to not just remember information but also to act upon it, focusing on the influence of mood state on the likelihood of initiating a change and then maintaining that behaviour. Empirical findings in relation to models of positive change are discussed. It is concluded that health and safety information can have an impact on mood regardless of the amount retained; furthermore, enhancing emotional state has important implications for compliance

Perceptions of the risks and benefits of Internet access and use by people with intellectual disabilities

Accessible summary Both good and bad things can happen when people use the Internet, and people with learning disabilities are not using the Internet as much as other people. Worry about the bad things that can happen online might be one reason people with learning disabilities are not supported to access the Internet as much as other people. We wanted to find out what people without learning disabilities believe about these good and bad things for people with learning disabilities. We wanted to find this out because the way people without disabilities think about the good and bad things online might affect how people with learning disabilities are treated. We found out that people without learning disabilities think that both the good and bad things are more likely to happen to people with learning disabilities when they use the Internet. Abstract Background: Information and communication technologies, with the Internet at the forefront, have the potential to enhance the knowledge, service, employment, development and social interactional opportunities available to people with intellectual disabilities. Despite this, people with intellectual disabilities are not accessing the Internet to the same degree as people without intellectual disabilities. Issues of safety, risk and protection online for people with intellectual disabilities have yet to be adequately investigated, and these currently serve as reasons given for hindering people from gaining online access. Materials and Method: This survey aimed to gauge the views people without intellectual disabilities have of risks and benefits of using the Internet for themselves and for people with intellectual disabilities and to compare self-ratings of risk and benefits to ratings for people with intellectual disabilities. Results: The survey findings indicate that, with only a small number of exceptions, both the risks and benefits of being online were believed to be greater for people with intellectual disabilities compared with those without intellectual disabilities. Greater use of the Internet was associated with increased perception of benefits to being online for both people with intellectual disabilities and for participants. Conclusions: Perceptions of increased benefits suggest more needs to be performed to improve online access whilst a perception of increased risk may help to explain the reduced inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in the online world

Emoticon convergence in Internet chat rooms

The present study examines sex and age differences in the use of emoticons (graphic representations of facial expressions) in Internet chat rooms. Data were collected from four Noesis chat rooms (‘18 plus’, ‘30-something’, ‘40- something’ and ‘50 plus’). Although women were more likely than men to use emoticons, there was no difference between the sexes in the range of emoticons used. The fact that men expressed a similar range of emoticons to women implies a general convergence towards female expression in mixed-sex communication contexts. Chat room users without a profile picture were also more likely to use winking emoticons. This may be because these types of emoticons are more flirtatious in intent, and it is easier for chatters to engage in risky communications when they are less identifiable. Furthermore, age had little bearing on the uptake of emoticons as well as the types of emoticons expressed. We draw upon Communication Accommodation Theory to help explain why emotional expression may converge in the chat room context

"You have to know how to live with it without getting to the addiction part": British young adult experiences of smartphone over-reliance and disconnectivity

Smartphone usage offers undeniable upsides (e.g. social connectivity and increased productivity). However, the ever-expanding utilities of smartphones have prompted debate around device over-reliance, which has prompted interest in ‘digital detox’, ‘technology pushback’ and ‘disconnectivity’. We report an in-depth qualitative exploration of perceptions of smartphone over-reliance and experiences of attempting to modify usage (i.e., efforts to disconnect) among fourteen 18-30-year-old university students. Semi-structured interview transcripts were subjected to interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). A first theme – ‘It’s like an addiction’ – concerned the drift from valuing the convenience/productivity afforded by smartphones into feeling over-reliant on devices. Over-reliance could hinder meeting basic needs, limit time for valued pastimes and could unsettle feelings of agency. A second theme – ‘It’s difficult to maintain abstinence’ - concerned barriers to modification efforts, including fearing possible social repercussions, transferring attention to other Internet-affording devices, and self-deception. This article highlights how modifying habitual usage patterns may be challenging and encourages debate around how ‘smartphone over-reliance’ could be framed

Implementation of self management support for long term conditions in routine primary care settings: cluster randomised controlled trial

ObjectiveTo determine the effectiveness of an intervention to enhance self management support for patients with chronic conditions in UK primary care. Design Pragmatic, two arm, cluster randomised controlled trial.SettingGeneral practices, serving a population in northwest England with high levels of deprivation.Participants5599 patients with a diagnosis of diabetes (n=2546), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n=1634), and irritable bowel syndrome(n=1419) from 43 practices (19 intervention and 22 control practices).Intervention Practice level training in a whole systems approach to self management support. Practices were trained to use a range of resources: a tool to assess the support needs of patients, guidebooks on self management, and a web based directory of local self management resources. Training facilitators were employed by the health management organisation.Main Outcome MeasuresPrimary outcomes were shared decision making, self efficacy, and generic health related quality of life measured at 12 months. Secondary outcomes were general health, social or role limitations, energy and vitality, psychological wellbeing, self care activity,and enablement.ResultsWe randomised 44 practices and recruited 5599 patients, representing 43% of the eligible population on the practice lists. 4533 patients (81.0%) completed the six month follow-up and 4076 (72.8%)the 12 month follow-up.No statistically significant differences were found between patients attending trained practices and those attending control practices on any of the primary or secondary outcomes. All effect size estimates were well below the prespecified threshold of clinically important difference