Visualizing support: Exploring emoji usage in online support groups through the lens of symbolic interactionism

This study explores the role of emojis in online support groups for mental health, focusing on depression and anxiety communities, through the lens of symbolic interactionism. By employing social network analysis and structural topic modeling, the research examines how users deploy emojis in different thematic contexts and how reciprocal emoji interactions form a communication network that fosters social support. The findings reveal that emojis serve not only as emotional expressions but also as tools for conveying empathy, encouragement, and help-seeking behaviors. Additionally, emojis are associated with emotional disclosure in online communities, supporting the communication of vulnerable topics. This study highlights the potential of emojis in enhancing digital health interventions, providing new insights into the non-verbal communication strategies employed in online support groups. It also offers practical implications for platform design and community management to improve user engagement and social support mechanisms.