Date of Award
2011
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Awarded
Master of Science (MS)
Program
Communication
Department
Communication
College
Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Faculty Advisor
Yu, Nan
Description
The following thesis examined amputee support groups on Facebook. Having an 111 amputation can be a life-changing experience. and social support may be necessary to understand one's amputation. Hundreds of amputee groups exist on Face book, and many of them foster active onlinc communities. This study sought to accomplish two goals: describe how amputees use these groups, and uncover the predictors that lead to engagement in socially supportive behaviors, particularly providing informational support and emotional support. While not all groups are active, this study found that amputees do connect with others through Facebook, sometimes quite frequently. Posting on group walls significantly predicted use of informational support behaviors, and age, overall heal th condition, and posting on group walls significantly predicted use of emotional support behaviors.
Recommended Citation
Frohlich, Dennis Owen, "Uses and Gratifications of Amputees' Online Social Networks" (2011). Computer Science. 12.
https://digitalcommons.ndsu.edu/computer-sci/12
Rights
NDSU policy 190.6.2
Rights Link
https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf
Handle Identifier
https://hdl.handle.net/10365/33483