Prevalence and Outcomes of Seeking Social Support Online and Offline

An online survey examined where and from whom people seek social support, predictors of seeking social support, and wellbeing outcomes. A national sample of 583 US participants reported active channel use, support received, tie strength, channel affordances, perceived stigma, stress, and positive affect. Data revealed people seek support primarily in person and from strong ties. Tie strength predicted that people seek support in person, relative to mobile text messaging, voice calls, and social media. Perceived channel affordances accessibility and editability predicted that people seek support via mobile text messaging and social media, relative to in person. A test of the buffering effect model of social support was not consistent with the data. However, a test of the main effect model of social support was consistent with the data, suggesting social ties are positively related to positive affect and health promotion. Results provide a needed update to the prevalence of seeking social support across channels and wellbeing outcomes. Implications for health promotion and practitioners are discussed.