Impact of Network Density on Computer-Mediated Social Support (CMSS) Group Participants’ Information Competence

• In Event: To Understand Communication and Social Networks

Abstract

This study examines the moderating roles of network density in the relationship between network centrality measures and perceived information competence. In this study, the centrality measures indicate where a cancer patient is located in the online social network developed in an computer-mediated social support (CMSS) group, which shows the patient’s advantageous position to access valued resources embedded in the social support networks. To that end, we used secondary data from two randomized clinical trials examining the effects of an eHealth system that include CMSS group services. Interpersonal communication networks were established by identifying the referred persons or targets in a message posted in the CMSS group. Out of 243 participants, 117 developed interpersonal relationships. Findings show that a person’s centrality had a positive impact on information competence when the person was included in a low-density network, while it had modest influence for those who located in a high-density group.

Authors

• Kang Namkoong, University of Kentucky

• Dhavan Shah, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison

• David H Gustafson, U of Wisconsin-Madison