“Use it or lose it”: How online activism moderates the protective properties of gender identity for well-being

an article by Mindi D. Foster (Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada) published in Computers in Human Behavior Volume 96 (July 2019)

Highlight

• Across 3 studies, online activism increased the benefits of gender identity.
• Analyzing tweets showed female words correlate with well-being words.
• Pervasive sexism increased gender identity, which increased well-being.
• These relationships held for those believing online activism is active vs passive.
• These relationships also held for those participating in online activism vs control.

Abstract

Regardless of criticisms that online activism does nothing but increase positive feelings, there is merit to understanding the role of online activism for well-being. This research sought to integrate two separate but complimentary lines of research (the well-being effects of activism and social identity) by suggesting that online activism may enhance the ability of social identity to protect against the negative well-being consequences of pervasive discrimination.

Three studies, each with different operational definitions of online activism, showed a similar pattern: online activism enhanced the relationship between gender identity and well-being.

Consistent with theory on activism's role as a dynamic predictor of social identity (e.g., Drury & Reicher, 1999), this research suggests that online activism, as a means by which social identity can be enacted, can strengthen the protective ability of social identity for well-being.

Theoretical and practical implications of the benefits of online activism are discussed.

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