Gulimire Isak, Yi Qin, Dongfang Wang, Yanqi Chen, Zhihong Ren
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction: This cross-temporal meta-analysis examined 16-year trends (2006-2022) in online social support among Chinese adolescents and college students, aiming to address an underexplored area in developmental and longitudinal research.
Methods: Analyses included 86 studies conducted in mainland China (N = 66,059; 41.68% male; Mage = 18.01 ± 2.4; data collected from 2006 to 2022). The Adolescent Online Social Support Questionnaire assessed informational, emotional, instrumental, and companionship support. Multilevel modeling evaluated associations with socioeconomic indicators (GDP, consumption, income), socio-educational indicators (education funding), and social network indicators (internet penetration, per capita weekly internet usage hours), with stratified analyses by gender, urban-rural residence, and only-child status.
Results: (1) Trends: Sustained increases in online social support were observed, with marked growth in informational and instrumental support, moderate increases in companionship, and stable emotional support. (2) Age disparities: College students showed faster increases in emotional and companionship support. (3) Gender patterns: Males showed consistent increases across all dimensions, while females experienced declines in emotional support. Gender differences favored males in instrumental and females in emotional support. (4) Demographics: Higher support levels were found among urban youth and only children. (5) Macro-level correlates: Societal indicators were positively associated with informational, instrumental, and companionship support, but negatively associated with emotional support.
Conclusions: The findings underscore age-specific developmental trajectories and highlight the role of socio-technological transformation in shaping online social support. Future research should integrate standardized longitudinal cohorts with digital behavioral traces.
期刊介绍：
The Journal of Adolescence is an international, broad based, cross-disciplinary journal that addresses issues of professional and academic importance concerning development between puberty and the attainment of adult status within society. It provides a forum for all who are concerned with the nature of adolescence, whether involved in teaching, research, guidance, counseling, treatment, or other services. The aim of the journal is to encourage research and foster good practice through publishing both empirical and clinical studies as well as integrative reviews and theoretical advances.
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