Till Sites Do Us Part: Investigating Subnetworks on Social Network Sites as Social Capital Sources and Influences on Sociocultural Adaptation

• In Event: Social Capital and Internet Use

Abstract

This study investigates the impacts of Chinese international students’ distributed sub-networks across two social network sites (SNSs), Renren and Facebook, on social capital development and sociocultural adaptation using survey data (N=275). We explore how their relationship maintenance and communication with each sub-network, Chinese networks on Renren and Facebook and American networks on Facebook, predict social capital and adaptation. We unpack the interaction target and the social capital sources on SNSs and find out that Chinese networks on Renren and Facebook provide bridging and bonding social capital for international students’ adaptation in the U.S. We conclude by discussing how network distinctions inform and advance SNS research.

Authors

• Chien Wen Yuan, Fu Jen University

• Susan R Fussell, Cornell U