Transition, stress and computer-mediated social support

This review of literature from multiple disciplines argues that the Internet is useful both in communicating support, and in the rapid reestablishment of socially supportive peer networks, when an individual’s support needs change following a transition. We extend prior typologies of transition by identifying common features and outcomes of transition. We subsequently describe how transition involves a loss of social support networks and social capital, leading to increased stress and decreased wellbeing. Finally, we examine the features of computer mediated social support, and how those align with support needs following a transition. This paper provides a theoretical underpinning and a common language for the study of transition and its associated stress. The paper also suggests that computer-mediated social support may in some instances be superior to available face-to-face support options for managing the transitional factors affecting stress. 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 0. Introduction norms and outcomes that ensue. Context is defined as roles, expecLife is full of transitions. A common research thread is that transition is generally accompanied by a period of increased stress and decreased wellbeing (Section 1) due to the disruption of and adjustment to norms, expectations, social networks, and social capital (Section 2). Various forms of social support can help buffer the effects of such disruptions, or directly improve outcomes (Section 3). This review identifies how computer-mediated social support (CMSS) may provide and obtain such social support to manage stress during transition (Section 4). For this review, we explicitly searched, across multiple disciplines, for a few exemplary literature reviews in the areas of transition, stress and CMSS along with studies in each of four common transition domains. We evaluated the initial search results, including their references, to help refine subsequent search terms and find better exemplars. Table 1 presents the domains and definitions within the areas of transition/stress and CMSS, and the search terms used to find potentially relevant articles. 1. Transition: Definitions and outcomes