Vicarious Interactions in Online Support Communities: The Roles of Visual Anonymity and Social Identification

Abstract Online information seekers often do not actively post or engage in interactions with others, inviting research on how passive users of online communities benefit from the they see. Based social identity model deindividuation effects (SIDE) and theory, we proposed tested idea that observers a supportive interaction could relate to observed support seeker based their shared gender and, turn, become vicariously influenced by provider’s message seeker. An experiment using sample young adults (N = 326) United States provided proposition. Furthermore, outcomes vicarious were qualified genders interactants enhanced lack profile photos. The findings advance understandings context guide design promote mental well-being. Lay Summary Ample evidence shows people tremendously participating health communities, but less is understood about who participate these communities. We conducted an States. results showed females, compared males, are more likely be persuaded seek professional counseling for issues observing conversation online. persuasive effect reading was when female participants same had no