UC Irvine

Seeking help and support on social media platforms is common for individuals experiencing stressful life challenges. By disclosing personal difficulties and stress, individuals can potentially receive helpful social support and improve mental health. This study aimed to examine users’ experience of seeking support on social media, particularly on Reddit, to cope with stressful life events. Sixteen individuals with support-seeking experience were interviewed to understand their intentions for sharing personal difficulties and stress, their strategies for seeking support, and the nature and perceived helpfulness of support they sought and received on Reddit. The findings revealed the personal and psychological impacts of online support, as well as the benefits and potential downsides of using Reddit for support-seeking in managing stressful life challenges. This study contributes to the HCI literature by providing an empirical understanding of users’ experiences of seeking support on social media platforms. It also discusses the implications for platform designers and users for improving the effectiveness and responsiveness of online support to better serve the diverse needs of those seeking help online.