title: Social media as social capital of LGB individuals in Hong Kong: its relations with group membership, stigma, and mental well-being.
abstract: Social media are found to facilitate social information exchange among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals who are subjected to social stigma. This study tested the protective role of LGB-tailored social media uses and gratifications in promoting LGB group membership, which we hypothesized to reduce LGB stigma and enhance mental health among LGB individuals in Hong Kong. Based on a sample of 233 Chinese LGB individuals in Hong Kong, structural equation modeling showed evidence for our hypotheses, χ(df=62)(2)= 88.20, GFI = 0.95, CFI = 0.98, NNFI = 0.98, SRMR = 0.07, RMSEA = 0.04. Community surveillance, identity expression, and emotional support on social media may promote mental health by instilling a sense of group membership and reducing stigma. Social media may build camaraderie and bolster resilience among LGB individuals that may otherwise be difficult in conservative regions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Eddie S K
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.forename: Yin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Winnie W S
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.forename: Ingrid H Y
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Pang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D065840:Protective Factors; D066270:Social Capital; D012933:Social Identification; D061108:Social Media; D057545:Social Stigma; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult