ABSTRACT
Video games are part of everyday life for many Americans despite concerns for social isolation and depressive symptoms. Preliminary studies show gamers may compensate for lack of in-real-life (IRL) support with online connections. This longitudinal social network study investigated the social structure of an online gaming site and how social support, sense of community, and depressive symptoms relate to communication. Members (N = 40) of an online gaming site reported online and IRL support, sense of community, depressive symptoms, and usernames of other members whom they spoke to about important life matters. IRL and online social support, sense of community, and depressive symptoms significantly influenced changes in online gaming network structure over time. These results are timely given social isolation and mental health impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Exploring how to healthfully build online connections through gaming may be an avenue for greater social support when IRL social support is lacking. © 2023 North Central Sociological Association.
ABSTRACT
Purpose Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCs) provide numerous avenues for youth to connect, be physically active and have healthy meals/snacks. These services are often provided to low-income families at reduced cost to bridge the gap in after school and summer childcare. However, many of these clubs were forced to dramatically change their services during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to examine how 13 BGCs in Texas, USA, experienced COVID-19 and persevered to provide services. Design/methodology/approach Interviews were conducted with 16 BGC leaders from 13 different BGCs. Open-ended questions were used to elicit leaders' experiences with the pandemic, services their clubs were able to offer, barriers overcome and supports crucial to their ability to serve their communities. Thematic analysis was used to generate findings from these interviews. Findings BGC services changed significantly during the pandemic. Normal activities were no longer possible;however, leaders (alongside their communities) continually provided services for their families. Further, leaders reiterated the power of the community coming together in support of their families. Social implications While BGC leaders had to adapt services, they found ways to reach families and serve their community. These adaptations can have dramatic impacts on the social and physical well-being of children in their communities. Learning from this adversity can improve services as clubs start to build back. Originality/value This study provides vital context to the changing care and setting children were exposed to during the pandemic response. Additionally, these results provide understanding of the adaptations that took place in these services.
ABSTRACT
Purpose Online gaming offers avenue to connect with others producing social capital especially for individuals lacking in-real-life (IRL) social support;however, there is concerns related to mental health and depressive symptoms (DS). Virtually mediated social connections are particularly important during times of social distancing. This paper aims to investigate discussant networks established through an online gaming site and their possible association with DS and social support. Design/methodology/approach Participants (n = 40) recruited from an online gaming site reported DS, online and IRL social support, and site members with whom they discussed important life matters. Participants also reported topics of conversation discussed and reason for communication. Quadratic assignment procedure multiple regression was used to determined significant associations between network structure, DS and social support. Findings DS were significantly associated with online (ss = 0.39) and IRL social support (ss = -0.44). Online social support was significantly associated with network structural factors. Topics reported by members most often were bridging capital topics while topics reported by members in most recent conversation were bonding capital topics. Members mentioned bonding social capital concepts as motivation for conversation. Social implications Building online relationships to provide bonding social capital could supply buffering effects for those feeling socially isolated during social distancing. Originality/value This paper is among the first to approach online gaming communication through social network analysis and qualitative analysis mixed method approach.