Identifying Sequences of Advice-Giving in Online Military Discussion Forums

Abstract

Advice can be beneficial yet risky, particularly when offering suggestions in sensitive and unique situations. Applying the integrated model of advice-giving as a guiding framework, we examined 916 supportive messages exchanged on 12 web-based military discussion forums to investigate the link between the characteristics of support-seeking requests and the types of support provided. Only 1% of replies displayed the theoretically preferable sequence of emotional support, analysis of the problem, then advice. Individuals who used sad language were less likely to receive advice only and more likely to receive emotional support upfront. Users who sought advice often encountered responses that contained only advice. Responses to individuals who discussed their troubles or requested only emotional support followed a slightly different pattern. We discuss implications for advice-givers/receivers and users of military online forums.

Keywords:

• advice
• computer-mediated communication
• emotional support
• interpersonal communication
• military families

Data collection procedures were approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Illinois and University of Kentucky. The authors are grateful to Daniel Byrne, Danielle Callahan, Hallie Davis, Dale Erdmier, Keegan Gaspari, Brittany Gibson, Jessica Lee, Kaitlyn Nead, Jordan Niezelski, Laura Saldivar, Claudia Szczepaniak, Vanida Vesuntia, Sylvie Zhuang, Kristin Kampschroer, Kaci Christopher, Erin Basinger, J. Kale Monk, and particularly to Leanne Knobloch.