The manipulation of synchronous internet-based online social support in a laboratory setting

Abstract

The present study aimed to manipulate Internet-based online social support (OS) in a laboratory setting and compare its effect with face-to-face social support (FS). Participants (N = 161) were randomly assigned to either alone, FS, or OS condition. Consistent with the hypotheses, alone participants perceived less social support than supported participants and experienced less positive emotions than those who received OS. For all the DVs, FS and OS did not differ from each other. The results ascertained the equivalent benefit of OS to FS. Most importantly, these findings highlighted successful manipulation of synchronous OS in a laboratory setting.