Collaborative Friendship Networks in Online Healthcare Communities: An Exponential Random Graph Model Analysis [chapter]

Xiaolong Song, Shan Jiang, Xianbin Yan, Hsinchun Chen
2014 Lecture Notes in Computer Science  
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
more » ... omophily 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.
doi:10.1007/978-3-319-08416-9_8 fatcat:z3w6tuuyyzhnxe7rb2ganb7nou