Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-27-2018
Department
Department of Psychology
Abstract
Regardless of criticisms that online activism does nothing but increase positive feelings, there is merit to understanding the role of online activism for well-being. This research sought to integrate two separate but complimentary lines of research (the well-being effects of activism and social identity) by suggesting that online activism may enhance the ability of social identity to protect against the negative well-being consequences of pervasive discrimination. Three studies, each with different operational definitions of online activism, showed a similar pattern: online activism enhanced the relationship between gender identity and well-being. Consistent with theory on activism’s role as a dynamic predictor of social identity (e.g., Drury & Reicher, 1999), this research suggests that online activism, as a means by which social identity can be enacted, can strengthen the protective ability of social identity for well-being. Theoretical and practical implications of the benefits of online activism are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Foster, Mindi D. (2018). "Use It or Lose It": How Online Activism Moderates the Protective Properties of Gender Identity for Well-Being. Computers in Human Behavior, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 27 November 2018.
Comments
This article was originally published in Computers in Human Behavior. © 2018 by Mindi D. Foster. Reproduced with permission.
Related data: Relationships between online activism, perceived sexism, gender identity and well-being in Canadian undergraduates, 2013-2017, available at: https://doi.org/10.5683/SP2/4FXRSR