Facebook-based social support and health: A systematic review.

The rise of social networking sites (SNSs) have provided a new avenue for interpersonal communication. Facebook, as the largest SNS targeted at providing access to interpersonal social networks, has been found to be a source of social support. Facebook-based social support has been found to be beneficial across a number of health outcomes, however, no systematic evaluation of these effects, and the factors that influence them, has been conducted. A systematic review has been conducted to examine the effects of Facebook- based social support on health. A total of 27 studies met selection criteria and were included in the final review. Facebook-based social support was found to impact health across three major domains: general health, mental illness, and well-being. Facebook-based social support was found to improve general physical and mental health, as well as well-being. It was also found reduce to symptomology associated with mental illness, including depression, anxiety, online victimisation, and loneliness. There were a number of behavioural factors that influenced these outcomes, including social comparison, communication competence, and self-disclosure. While the effects of Facebook-based social support was found to be generally positive, future research is required to explore how best to maximise this new form of social support.