Exploring Social Support Theory: Key Concepts, Current Research Hotspots and Future Gaps

This paper systematically explores the evolution, current trends, and future directions of social support theory, with a focus on its application in the context of social media, particularly China’s dominant platform, WeChat. By synthesizing three major research orientations —sociological/social network, psychological/cognitive, and communication/interaction —the study clarifies the theoretical foundations and measurement methodologies of social support. It highlights the growing emphasis on "online social support" in the digital age, analyzing empirical findings across diverse populations, including vulnerable groups (e.g., cancer patients, migrant workers) and specific demographics (e.g., elderly users, new mothers). The paper innovatively identifies gaps in existing research, such as the understudied role of strong-tie relationships (e.g., family or friend-based WeChat groups), the nuanced impact of platform-specific features (e.g., Moments, WeChat Sports), and the unique stressors faced by middle-aged women in fragmented identity contexts. This study not only maps current research hotspots but also proposes novel pathways for future inquiry, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, platform-specific functional analyses, and the psychosocial dynamics of underrepresented groups.