Social Media as Social Capital of LGB Individuals in Hong Kong: Its Relations with Group Membership, Stigma, and Mental Well-Being

Eddie S. K. Chong; Yin Zhang; Winnie W. S. Mak; Ingrid H. Y. Pang

doi:10.1007/s10464-014-9699-2

Social Media as Social Capital of LGB Individuals in Hong Kong: Its Relations with Group Membership, Stigma, and Mental Well-Being

Eddie S. K. Chong
, Yin Zhang
, Winnie W. S. Mak^*
, Ingrid H. Y. Pang

^*Corresponding author for this work

Department of Journalism

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › peer-review

110 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Social media are found to facilitate social information exchange among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals who are subjected to social stigma. This study tested the protective role of LGB-tailored social media uses and gratifications in promoting LGB group membership, which we hypothesized to reduce LGB stigma and enhance mental health among LGB individuals in Hong Kong. Based on a sample of 233 Chinese LGB individuals in Hong Kong, structural equation modeling showed evidence for our hypotheses, χ_(df=62) ² = 88.20, GFI = 0.95, CFI = 0.98, NNFI = 0.98, SRMR = 0.07, RMSEA = 0.04. Community surveillance, identity expression, and emotional support on social media may promote mental health by instilling a sense of group membership and reducing stigma. Social media may build camaraderie and bolster resilience among LGB individuals that may otherwise be difficult in conservative regions.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	228-238
Number of pages	11
Journal	American Journal of Community Psychology
Volume	55
Issue number	1-2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-014-9699-2
Publication status	Published - Mar 2015

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

User-Defined Keywords

Hong Kong
Lesbian/gay/bisexual individuals
Social media
Stigma
Structural equation modeling

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10.1007/s10464-014-9699-2

Cite this

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title = "Social Media as Social Capital of LGB Individuals in Hong Kong: Its Relations with Group Membership, Stigma, and Mental Well-Being",

abstract = "Social media are found to facilitate social information exchange among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals who are subjected to social stigma. This study tested the protective role of LGB-tailored social media uses and gratifications in promoting LGB group membership, which we hypothesized to reduce LGB stigma and enhance mental health among LGB individuals in Hong Kong. Based on a sample of 233 Chinese LGB individuals in Hong Kong, structural equation modeling showed evidence for our hypotheses, χ(df=62) 2 = 88.20, GFI = 0.95, CFI = 0.98, NNFI = 0.98, SRMR = 0.07, RMSEA = 0.04. Community surveillance, identity expression, and emotional support on social media may promote mental health by instilling a sense of group membership and reducing stigma. Social media may build camaraderie and bolster resilience among LGB individuals that may otherwise be difficult in conservative regions.",

keywords = "Hong Kong, Lesbian/gay/bisexual individuals, Social media, Stigma, Structural equation modeling",

author = "Chong, \{Eddie S. K.\} and Yin Zhang and Mak, \{Winnie W. S.\} and Pang, \{Ingrid H. Y.\}",

note = "Funding information: The study was supported by the Chinese University of Hong Kong I-CARE Program (Research Project No. R14-11). We wish to thank Chun Yam Chau and the Boys{\textquoteright} and Girls{\textquoteright} Clubs Association of Hong Kong for their support in this study; Harold T. Y. Chui and Michael S. Boroughs for their feedback on the manuscript. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2015 Society for Community Research and Action",

year = "2015",

month = mar,

doi = "10.1007/s10464-014-9699-2",

language = "English",

volume = "55",

pages = "228--238",

journal = "American Journal of Community Psychology",

issn = "0091-0562",

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AU - Chong, Eddie S. K.

AU - Zhang, Yin

AU - Mak, Winnie W. S.

AU - Pang, Ingrid H. Y.

N1 - Funding information: The study was supported by the Chinese University of Hong Kong I-CARE Program (Research Project No. R14-11). We wish to thank Chun Yam Chau and the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs Association of Hong Kong for their support in this study; Harold T. Y. Chui and Michael S. Boroughs for their feedback on the manuscript. Publisher Copyright: © 2015 Society for Community Research and Action

PY - 2015/3

Y1 - 2015/3

N2 - Social media are found to facilitate social information exchange among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals who are subjected to social stigma. This study tested the protective role of LGB-tailored social media uses and gratifications in promoting LGB group membership, which we hypothesized to reduce LGB stigma and enhance mental health among LGB individuals in Hong Kong. Based on a sample of 233 Chinese LGB individuals in Hong Kong, structural equation modeling showed evidence for our hypotheses, χ(df=62) 2 = 88.20, GFI = 0.95, CFI = 0.98, NNFI = 0.98, SRMR = 0.07, RMSEA = 0.04. Community surveillance, identity expression, and emotional support on social media may promote mental health by instilling a sense of group membership and reducing stigma. Social media may build camaraderie and bolster resilience among LGB individuals that may otherwise be difficult in conservative regions.

AB - Social media are found to facilitate social information exchange among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals who are subjected to social stigma. This study tested the protective role of LGB-tailored social media uses and gratifications in promoting LGB group membership, which we hypothesized to reduce LGB stigma and enhance mental health among LGB individuals in Hong Kong. Based on a sample of 233 Chinese LGB individuals in Hong Kong, structural equation modeling showed evidence for our hypotheses, χ(df=62) 2 = 88.20, GFI = 0.95, CFI = 0.98, NNFI = 0.98, SRMR = 0.07, RMSEA = 0.04. Community surveillance, identity expression, and emotional support on social media may promote mental health by instilling a sense of group membership and reducing stigma. Social media may build camaraderie and bolster resilience among LGB individuals that may otherwise be difficult in conservative regions.

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SN - 0091-0562

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ER -

Social Media as Social Capital of LGB Individuals in Hong Kong: Its Relations with Group Membership, Stigma, and Mental Well-Being

Abstract

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