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Social Media as Social Capital of LGB Individuals in Hong Kong: Its Relations with Group Membership, Stigma, and Mental Well‐Being
Author(s) -
Chong Eddie S. K.,
Zhang Yin,
Mak Winnie W. S.,
Pang Ingrid H. Y.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
american journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.113
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1573-2770
pISSN - 0091-0562
DOI - 10.1007/s10464-014-9699-2
Subject(s) - structural equation modeling , psychology , mental health , lesbian , social media , stigma (botany) , social psychology , social identity theory , social support , sexual orientation , social stigma , homosexuality , social capital , health psychology , minority stress , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , social group , sexual minority , public health , psychiatry , sociology , medicine , social science , statistics , mathematics , nursing , family medicine , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , political science , psychoanalysis , law
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.