“Thank you for being there for me”: How channel publicness and expression of gratitude shape perceptions of support-seeking messages on social network sites

The current study investigates how channel publicness and the expression of gratitude in support-seeking messages on social network sites shape support providers' impressions of a support seeker and likelihood to offer help. Participants (N = 255) completed an online survey in which they were randomly assigned to view one of the eight hypothetical support-seeking messages that varied according to the publicness of the channel, expression of gratitude, and the type of stressor. Results suggest that seeking support in a public channel is viewed as less appropriate and corresponds with less liking and likelihood to provide support than seeking support in a private channel. Contrary to expectations, support providers reported the lowest likelihood to help and lowest appropriateness when the support seeker expressed gratitude while seeking support in a public channel. Findings are discussed in relation to the literature on seeking support and research on the communication of gratitude.