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Published in:
2014 | OriginalPaper | Chapter
Collaborative Friendship Networks in Online Healthcare Communities: An Exponential Random Graph Model Analysis
Authors : Xiaolong Song, Shan Jiang, Xianbin Yan, Hsinchun Chen
Published in: Smart Health
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
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Health 2.0 provides patients an unprecedented way to connect with each other online. However, less attention has been paid to how patient collaborative friendships form in online healthcare communities. This study examines the relationship between collaborative friendship formation and patients’ characteristics. Results from Exponential Random Graph Model (ERGM) analysis indicate that gender homophily doesn’t appear in CFNs, while health homophily such as treatments homophily and health-status homophily increases the likelihood of collaborative friendship formation. This study provides insights for improving website design to help foster close relationship among patients and deepen levels of engagement.