Through the lens of network mechanisms: multilevel interorganizational communication for adolescent mental health in the social media era
Creators: name: Ru, Xizi
Publisher: name: No Publisher Supplied
Year: 2024

description: This dissertation explores the intricate interplay of communication among various stakeholders in New Jersey in response to escalating concerns regarding adolescent mental health and the changing significance of interorganizational networks in advocating for public health. Further, this research investigates the dynamics of interorganizational communication networks, with a focus on adolescent mental health in the context of social media. By integrating theoretical frameworks of the Source–Authority–Hub (SAH) model and network agenda setting, this research delineates the intricate processes of a multilevel interorganizational communication through the investigation of information flow, collaborative agenda setting, and network mechanisms among Nonprofit Organizations (NPOs). Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the study draws from an extensive dataset comprising news articles, NPO websites, and social media content to analyze the interplay between traditional and social media, as well as among NPOs, in framing the discourse about adolescent mental health issues.The results reveal a complex interorganizational network where sources, authorities, and hubs play pivotal roles in disseminating information and shaping the interorganizational information ecosystem. Sources enhance network resilience and resource allocation, authorities impact policy formulation through regulatory oversight, and hubs direct service provision to influence policy and promote best practices. Moreover, by delving into the mechanism of interorganizational networks, the results shed light on how network ties and structures influence the adolescent mental health network agenda, indicating that the existence of ties and structural equivalence fosters agenda convergence. Additionally, this research highlights the independent yet synergistic roles of news media and social media in addressing adolescent mental health, with both mediums converging on mental health narratives, emphasizing the collaborative nature of modern media ecosystems where influence is multiplex and bidirectional.By advancing the SAH model within the context of health communication and unraveling the complexities of interorganizational networks, this dissertation contributes to the theoretical enrichment of agenda setting and network agenda setting. This work highlights the significant role of multilevel interorganizational communication in the age of social media, offering insights into effective collaboration strategies for addressing adolescent mental health challenges. The study not only extends academic understanding of interorganizational communication but also provides practical implications for NPOs, policymakers, and practitioners aiming to optimize mental health advocacy efforts.In summary, this dissertation offers valuable perspectives on the role of interorganizational communication in understanding and addressing adolescent mental health challenges, emphasizing the necessity of collaborative communication strategies in the social media age.