Patterns of empathy in online communication
Date Issued
2007
Author(s)
Abstract
This article presents an investigation of empathy within an
online community for older people (SeniorNet). Qualitative
content analysis of 400 messages from a discussion board
about depression was used to determine how empathy is
expressed and facilitated in online communication. Special
emphasis was placed on determining the components of
online empathy. A code scheme that we developed to
analyse online empathy is also presented. The findings were
compared to offline studies about empathy in order to
investigate the influence that the mediating technology has
on the phenomenon.
online community for older people (SeniorNet). Qualitative
content analysis of 400 messages from a discussion board
about depression was used to determine how empathy is
expressed and facilitated in online communication. Special
emphasis was placed on determining the components of
online empathy. A code scheme that we developed to
analyse online empathy is also presented. The findings were
compared to offline studies about empathy in order to
investigate the influence that the mediating technology has
on the phenomenon.