Examining the Scope of Channel Expansion: A Test of Channel Expansion Theory with New and Traditional Communication Media

This article draws on channel expansion theory to explore the selection and use of communication media by organizational members. Channel expansion theory scholars posit that media richness perceptions are dependent on experiences with communication partners, the message topic, and the communication media utilized. This study tests channel expansion theory in the context of new and traditional communication media. Respondents (N = 269) completed questionnaires regarding their use and perceptions of face-to-face, telephone, e-mail, or instant-messaging interactions. Results indicate that experience with channel, topic, partner, and social influence are all significant predictors of richness perceptions, when controlling for age and media characteristics. Findings also suggest that the richness of a medium is not fixed and may be shaped by interpersonal factors, including one’s relevant experiences

Inequality, Social Networks, and Internet Use: Exploring the Implications of the Social Diversification Hypothesis

The social diversification hypothesis (SDH) suggests that in multicultural societies Internet use can help mitigate structural inequalities in access to social resources. Whereas traditionally disadvantaged groups are predicted to use the Internet to expand and diversify their social networks, advantaged groups use it to maintain existing connections. The present study investigates this central prediction of the SDH by examining the relationship between Internet and social network site (SNS) use and inequalities in network size and diversity based on race, sex, and education among a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. The results largely contradict the SDH. Internet and SNS use were associated with greater network-based inequalities stemming from education. The relationships between education and indicators of network size and diversity were stronger among Internet users than non-users and stronger among SNS users than Internet-only users. Network inequalities directly related to race, sex, and education were also explored

Evaluating 'Prefer not to say' Around Sensitive Disclosures

As people's offline and online lives become increasingly entwined, the sensitivity of personal information disclosed online is increasing. Disclosures often occur through structured disclosure fields (e.g., drop-down lists). Prior research suggests these fields may limit privacy, with non-disclosing users being presumed to be hiding undesirable information. We investigated this around HIV status disclosure in online dating apps used by men who have sex with men. Our online study asked participants (N=183) to rate profiles where HIV status was either disclosed or undisclosed. We tested three designs for displaying undisclosed fields. Visibility of undisclosed fields had a significant effect on the way profiles were rated, and other profile information (e.g., ethnicity) could affect inferences that develop around undisclosed information. Our research highlights complexities around designing for non-disclosure and questions the voluntary nature of these fields. Further work is outlined to ensure disclosure control is appropriately implemented around online sensitive information disclosures

A randomised controlled trial of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a contingency management intervention for reduction of cannabis use and of relapse in early psychosis (CIRCLE): a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Background: Around 35–45 % of people in contact with services for a first episode of psychosis are using cannabis. Cannabis use is associated with delays in remission, poorer clinical outcomes, significant increases in the risk of relapse, and lower engagement in work or education. While there is a clear need for effective interventions, so far only very limited benefits have been achieved from psychological interventions. Contingency management (CM) is a behavioural intervention in which specified desired behavioural change is reinforced through financial rewards. CM is now recognised to have a substantial evidence base in some contexts and its adoption in the UK is advocated by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance as a treatment for substance or alcohol misuse. However, there is currently little published data testing its effectiveness for reducing cannabis use in early psychosis. Methods: CIRCLE is a two-arm, rater-blinded randomised controlled trial (RCT) investigating the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a CM intervention for reducing cannabis use among young people receiving treatment from UK Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) services. EIP service users (n = 544) with a recent history of cannabis use will be recruited. The experimental group will receive 12 once-weekly CM sessions, and a voucher reward if urinalysis shows that they have not used cannabis in the previous week. Both the experimental and the control groups will be offered an Optimised Treatment as Usual (OTAU) psychoeducational package targeting cannabis use. Assessment interviews will be performed at consent, at 3 months, and at 18 months. The primary outcome is time to relapse, defined as admission to an acute mental health service. Secondary outcomes include proportion of cannabis-free urine samples during the intervention period, severity of positive psychotic symptoms, quality-adjusted life years, and engagement in work or education. Discussion: CIRCLE is a RCT of CM for cannabis use in young people with a recent history of psychosis (EIP service users) and recent cannabis use. It is designed to investigate whether the intervention is a clinically and cost-effective treatment for cannabis use. It is intended to inform future treatment delivery, particularly in EIP settings

Coping with illness digitally

An examination of "digital coping" involving the use of communication technologies, particularly social media, in responding to illness

Coping with Illness Digitally

Communication technologies have become a valuable resource for responding to the profound challenges posed by illness. Medical websites make it possible to find information about specific health conditions, e-mail provides a means to communicate with health care providers, social network sites can be used to solidify existing relationships, online communities provide opportunities for expanding support networks, and blogs offer a forum for articulating illness-related experiences. In this book, Stephen Rains examines this kind of “digital coping” involving the use of communication technologies, particularly social media, in responding to illness. Synthesizing a diverse body of existing empirical research, Rains offers the first book-length exploration of what it means to cope with illness digitally. Rains examines the implications of digital communication technologies on a series of specific challenges raised by illness and discusses the unique affordances of these technologies as coping resources. He considers patients\u27 motivations for forging relationships online and the structure of those networks; the exchange of social support and the outcomes of sharing illness experiences; online health information searches by patients and surrogates; the effects of Internet use on patient-provider communication; and digital coping mechanisms for end-of-life and bereavement, including telehospice, social media memorials, and online grief support. Finally, Rains presents an original model of digital coping that builds on issues discussed to summarize how and with what effects patients use communication technologies to cope with illness

The Nonverbal Bully: Effects of Shouting and Conversational Distance on Bystanders’ Perceptions

This study examines how nonverbal behavior in the form of conversational distance and volume impacts bystanders' perceptions of bullying. After watching a bullying scenario on video, participants completed measures regarding their perceptions of the bully, victim, and intentions to intervene. The results revealed an interaction between distance and volume for perceptions of the bully and victim. When they spoke in a normal conversing volume (i.e., 65 decibels), bullies were perceived to be weaker when they stood closer to victims (i.e., 18 inches apart) than when they stood further away (i.e., 4 feet). Victims were perceived as stronger when bullies stood closer and spoke at a normal volume.18 month embargo; published online: 27 Apr 2017This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

When and why we disclose distress on SNSs: Perceived affordances, disclosure goals, and anticipated negative evaluations

Social networking sites (SNSs) offer unprecedented opportunities for broadcasting self-disclosure. However, questions regarding when and why people tend to post distressing information on SNSs have received insufficient scholarly attention. Rooted in the functional approach of self-disclosure, we investigated how perceived SNS affordances (i.e., network accessibility, visibility, and visibility control) are associated with broadcasting distress disclosure tendencies on SNSs via disclosure goals. Working with 398 college students, we found that people disclose distress on SNSs for seeking support and expressing emotions. However, anticipated negative evaluations can lessen the associations between disclosure goals and distress disclosures on SNSs. Furthermore, the results revealed that network accessibility was indirectly associated with distress disclosures on SNSs via support-seeking goals while visibility control was indirectly related to distress disclosures via emotion expression goals. The indirect effects indicate the importance of studying disclosure goals when investigating the associations between affordances and disclosures. Together, this study advances our understanding regarding online distress disclosures by integrating SNS affordances, disclosures goals, and subjective risks.24 month embargo; available online 24 July 2021This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Does social network site use buffer against well-being loss when older adults face reduced functional ability?

We examine the role of the Internet in dealing with problems in later life by analyzing whether direct and buffering models of social support can be applied to social network site (SNS) use. Whereas the direct model implies a positive effect of time spent using SNSs on subjective well-being, and a negative effect on social loneliness, the buffering model suggests that SNS use should reduce the (negative) consequences of stressors. Using a large, longitudinal survey from the Netherlands, we find evidence for the buffering model but not for the direct-effects model. Functional disability had a negative impact on (changes in) well-being and this effect was smaller when older individuals used SNSs more. Furthermore, we found a similar buffering effect of making online purchases, which we interpret as support for the idea that replacing offline with online activities may be a compensation strategy. This implies that Internet use may play a role in coping with health-related problems connected to later stages of the life course