Technical Features of Asynchronous and Synchronous Community Platforms and their Effects on Community Cohesion: A Comparative Study of Forum-based and Chat-based Online Mental Health Communities

Across online support communities, community cohesion varies by platform and can impact the self-disclosure of members and their exchanges of social support. Through a comparative study of forum and chat-based mental health communities, this research examines how technical features of both platforms influence community cohesion by affecting communication patterns among members, including evenness of communication, speed of communication, and...