From Screens to Support: A Systematic Literature Review of Female Users’ Access to Social Support on Social Media Platforms
Abstract
This study systematically reviews existing research on how female users engage with social media platforms (SMPs) to seek, provide, and negotiate social support. It explores the types of support exchanged, underlying motivations, barriers to participation, and the broader psychosocial implications of platform use in gendered digital environments. Following PRISMA guidelines, this review analyzed 31 peer-reviewed empirical studies published between 2014 and 2024, identified through Web of Science, Scopus, and EBSCO databases. A narrative synthesis was conducted to identify recurring patterns and theoretical contributions. Female users commonly access four forms of support on SMPs: emotional, informational, esteem, and network-based. Their motivations include seeking health information, emotional reassurance, peer solidarity, and sustaining social connections. However, engagement is constrained by risks such as information overload, algorithmic bias, negative feedback, and privacy concerns. These dynamics reflect both the empowering and limiting roles of SMPs in shaping psychosocial well-being and digital identity. The review is limited to English-language, published studies and may underrepresent research from non-Western or marginalized populations. Future studies should adopt more intersectional, cross-cultural, and platform-specific approaches. Findings inform the development of safer, more inclusive online spaces by highlighting the need for improved platform design, moderation, and digital literacy strategies tailored to women’s support needs. This review integrates insights from communication, social psychology, and gender studies, offering a conceptual framework linking digital support-seeking to identity, emotion, and structural dynamics.
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International Journal of Marketing, Communication and New Media
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