Feeling good ? Paths to psychological well-being : the role of social support in a facebook-based online health community

This study examines how perceived social support within a Facebook-based online health community is associated with psychological well-being and physical activity among women with diabetes. It distinguishes a direct psychological pathway from a sequential behavioural pathway involving self-efficacy and motivation to engage in healthy behaviours. Data were collected from 103 women with diabetes who participated in the "Slow Diabète" program developed by the French Federation of Diabetes and joined its closed Facebook group. Participants completed an online questionnaire assessing perceived informational and emotional support, self-efficacy, motivation to engage in healthy behaviours, physical activity, and psychological well-being. The hypothesized relationships were tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Perceived social support was positively associated with psychological well-being (β = 0.577, p < 0.001) and self-efficacy (β = 0.444, p < 0.001). Self-efficacy was positively associated with motivation to engage in healthy behaviours (β = 0.661, p < 0.001), which was, in turn, positively associated with physical activity (β = 0.453, p < 0.001). However, perceived social support was not directly associated with physical activity, and physical activity was not significantly associated with psychological well-being. The model explained 33% of the variance in psychological well-being.