Facebook medical support groups: the communication privacy management perspective
Aslib Journal of Information Management
ISSN: 2050-3806
Article publication date: 9 February 2022
Issue publication date: 29 June 2023
Abstract
Purpose
Exploring the considerations that guide and influence members of Facebook medical support groups to disclose private information.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample included 293 participants, aged 18–85 years, who answered an online survey, 155 members of Facebook medical support groups and 138 members of other Facebook groups.
Findings
Members of medical support groups attach greater importance to privacy policy, give greater value to privacy and reveal more private information, compared to members of other groups. Members of medical support groups tend to feel that they receive more support and feel that the privacy policy preserves their privacy much more. These feelings are associated with greater self-disclosure of groups' members.
Originality/value
The research insights will help medical support groups' members and admins to put into action the fundamental right to privacy and build a set of rules tailored to their individual and group needs.
Keywords
Citation
Avizohar, C., Gazit, T. and Aharony, N. (2023), "Facebook medical support groups: the communication privacy management perspective", Aslib Journal of Information Management, Vol. 75 No. 4, pp. 664-684. https://doi.org/10.1108/AJIM-10-2021-0298
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited