Anonymity and level of support given on a health-related online support forum

Social Identity of Deindividuation Effects (SIDE) Theory (Spears & Lea, 1992) predicts that in online communities comprised of both identifiable and anonymous individuals, the latter will use the group for their own aims before those of the collective. In line with SIDE theory, we examined whether level of support on a social support thread for epileptics or parents of epileptics varied depending on the whether the individual posting was anonymous or identifiable. In line with predictions, anonymous individuals were less likely to offer support. Moreover, when offered, the degree of support given by identifiable people was greater than that of anonymous individuals. Anonymous people were also slightly more likely to request support from others but this association did not reach significance. The findings are consistent with SIDE theory suggesting that in groups comprising both identifiable and anonymous individuals, the latter will be less likely to offer social support.