Sharing second stories in online comforting interactions

Abstract

Online sharing has emerged as a pivotal means for individuals, particularly those facing challenges, to seek support. This study investigates how second stories are employed to comfort original posters in online support groups. Data were collected from two distinct online support groups, related to exam failures and relationship issues respectively, on the Chinese social media platform Douban, with 100 interactive segments from each group. We also examine whether thematic contexts shape the types and perspectives of second stories. The findings identified three types of second stories in the online comforting interactions, namely aligned, prospective, and divergent second stories. Netizens shared their personal experiences much more frequently than the experiences of others in their second stories, and the themes of the online groups significantly influenced the choices and perspectives of the second stories. In addition, the study details the dynamics of interactions between the original posters and those who replied, highlighting a spectrum of engagement levels from single responses to circular, linear, and multi-party interactions. These findings demonstrate the adaptive and context-sensitive nature of sharing second stories online in providing targeted emotional support within digital communities.