Finding Support in the Online World

Abstract

When most people think of online relationships, their mind usually summons the spectre of countless “cat-fish” and internet “predator” stories which abound in the tabloid media. These cautionary tales would lead us to believe that the online environment produces relationships that are damaging and often misleading due to our inability to clearly ascertain who we are dealing with in a physical sense. It is this sense of the unknown, the anonymity of others, which has cemented popular opinion of online relationships as somehow inferior, less intimate and more fleeting than offline relationships (Hart 2015). Yet, our research shows that this is not necessarily the case. Instead, our research posits, as others have before us (e.g. see Chambers 2013) that the relationships formed between members of online communities, such as Stronger Together, are highly supportive, extremely intimate and as enduring as those formed offline. Furthermore, these relationships can have far reaching positive impacts, both emotionally and psychologically for those seeking support. Findings such as these have challenged how we conceptualise “intimacy” and “relationships” (Chambers 2013) and suggest that we may need to move towards new understandings of these terms which emphasise the value individuals derive from their online relationships.

“To end this journal, I just want to say THANK YOU to all you ladies who have been here for me, supporting me and giving me advice. I really do appreciate all of it, and all of you!” Joan