Engagement Dynamics in Online Mental Health Communities: The Role of Trust and Social Support in Young Adults’ Attitudes and Norms

Online Mental Health Communities (OMHCs) are becoming vital spaces for young people to access peer-based mental health support. However, the behavioral factors that influence continued participation in these communities remain underexplored. This study extends the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) by including initial trust, OMHC engagement, emotional support, informational support, and perceived anonymity to examine young users’ intentions to sustain their participation in OMHCs. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), data from 459 Filipino youth aged 18 to 30 were analyzed to test the model. Results revealed that attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control significantly predict sustainable use intentions. Emotional and informational support strongly influenced subjective norms, while initial trust and OMHC engagement influenced attitude. Perceived anonymity, however, did not exhibit a significant effect. The findings suggest that trust, peer support, and user engagement play an important role in shaping participation in digital mental health spaces. The article concludes with practical implications for platform developers, mental health professionals, and policymakers who aim to improve access to mental health support online. By addressing the psychosocial dynamics shaping OMHC participation, the research advances the understanding of help-seeking behaviors in low-resource and collectivist settings.