“A Short Story of a Lonely Guy”: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis of Involuntary Celibacy Using Reddit

Maxwell, December; Robinson, Sarah; Williams, Jessica; Keaton, Craig

doi:10.1007/s12119-020-09724-6

Cited by 73 publications

(94 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…The veil of anonymity and shared experiences make it easier for the users to openly talk about stigmatising issues that may be more difficult to discuss face-to-face. Hence Reddit has been successfully used to research sensitive topics such as pro-eating disorders (Sowles et al 2018), incel communities (Maxwell et al 2020), and mental illness (De Choudhury and De 2014). Reddit has also been used by victims of IPV and sexual violence as a supportive environment in which experiences can be shared and acknowledged (O'Neill 2018; Schrading et al 2015).…”

Section: Selection Of Forum Postsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence during Lockdown and the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021

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Previous studies have demonstrated that there is an increase in Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) during times of crisis (e.g., financial, environmental, or socio-political situations). The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered an unprecedented global health and financial tragedy, but research is yet to establish exactly how the situation may impact on IPV. The present study investigates victims’ experience of IPV during lockdown and the COVID-19 pandemic. We report a qualitative thematic analysis of 50 discussion forum posts written by victims of IPV. Of these, 48 forum posts were written by female victims of male perpetrated violence. All forum posts were obtained from the popular online platform, Reddit. We identified four themes associated with IPV victims’ experiences during lockdown and the global pandemic: (i) Use of COVID-19 by the Abuser, (ii) Service Disruption, (iii) Preparation to Leave, and (iv) Factors Increasing Abuse or Distress. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on those living with IPV, often increasing the severity of IPV experienced. The experiences of those affected by IPV during this period inform interventions and the guidance and support provided to IPV victims during times of crisis.

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Section: Selection Of Forum Postsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence during Lockdown and the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021

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“…This section focuses on studies that conducted qualitative analyses of Incels forums and reported on psychosocial issues in their results. Content analyzed on r/Braincels revealed the presence of several themes previously highlighted by Gilmartin and Donnelly, such as stories of bullying and rejection (Maxwell, Robinson, Williams, & Keaton, 2020). Appearances, lack of female interest, level of attractiveness and social ineptitudes were other recurring themes .…”

Section: Qualitative Studies Providing Psychosocial Data On Incelsmentioning

confidence: 77%

Psychosocial Characteristics of Involuntary Celibates (Incels): A Review of Empirical Research and Assessment of the Potential Implications of Research on Adult Virginity and Late Sexual Onset

Stijelja¹

2021

Preprint

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This narrative review provides a qualitative synthesis of more than 40 years of research on involuntary celibacy, late sexual onset, and adult virginity. Studies suggest that Incels struggle with a lack of sexual and romantic intimacy, and that their negative body image, shyness, poor social skills compounded by inexperience with sexual and romantic relationships contribute to further restrict their opportunities to build rapport with potential romantic or sexual partners. In line with life course theory, many feel as though they have missed an important development milestone and, consequently, feel ‘’off time’’ relative to their peers with regard to sexuality. This can lead to a view that celibacy is a permanent state and that life is hopeless, a feeling encapsuled in an ideology known as ‘’blackpill’’. Stereotypical standards of masculinity and masculine sexual scripts may contribute to further increase the sense of embarrassment and stigma among reluctant virgins. While it is important for future studies to ascertain whether these various mental health issues were present prior or after their ‘’Inceldom’’, current results nonetheless describe a community characterized by a high prevalence of mental health problems.

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“…Recent incidents have demonstrated that misogynistic beliefs can lead to acts of violence. Manifestos of incel as well as far-right terrorist attackers have repeatedly shown that the perpetrators espoused extreme misogynistic attitudes (Maxwell et al, 2020;Wilson, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most evidently, misogyny is central to the 'involuntary celibate' movement. The violent fringe of this online subculture holds extreme misogynistic attitudes and advocates for violence against women (Ging, 2017;Maxwell, Robinson, Williams, & Keaton, 2020). Since 2014, movement advocates, colloquially known as 'incels', conducted several acts of mass murders in the United States and Canada.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring Individuals’ Misogynistic Attitudes: Development and Validation of the Misogyny Scale

Rottweiler¹,

Gill²

2021

Preprint

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Across three studies based on a nationally representative survey (n = 1500), we developed and validated the misogyny scale. Initial items were generated from an extensive literature search and subsequently derived from validated scales assessing internalised misogyny, hostile sexism, and hostility towards women. Construct and measurement validity were established across several studies. An exploratory factor analysis (Study 1, n = 750) established the factor structure of the 10-item misogyny scale. In study 2 (n = 750), the 10-item structure was replicated via confirmatory factor analysis. The misogyny scale displayed good convergent (i.e., significant and strong relationship with male sexual entitlement, masculinity related violent beliefs and willingness to use violence) and discriminant validity (i.e., no relationship with analytical thinking). In study 3 (n = 750), we established measurement invariance across gender and age groups. This allows researchers to deploy the scale among male and female individuals, across different age groups as well as to assess latent mean differences. Significant latent mean differences for all three latent factors emerged between male and female participants, demonstrating that men had significantly stronger misogynistic attitudes than women (MDiff1 = -.482***; MDiff2 = -.324***; MDiff3 = -.197***). The latent mean differences ranged from small (Cohen’s d2 = .27; Cohen’s d3 = .19) to medium effect sizes (Cohen’s d1 = .38). The strongest latent mean differences between age groups were found for the factor ‘manipulative and exploitative nature of women’. Older age groups reported significantly stronger attitudes relating to this factor than younger participants. The misogyny scale will allow researchers to explore the psychological antecedents and consequences of misogyny among population samples and the subsequent findings may have important practical implications for prevention and intervention programs on violent (extremist) propensity development.

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“A Short Story of a Lonely Guy”: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis of Involuntary Celibacy Using Reddit

Cited by 73 publications

References 44 publications

Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence during Lockdown and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence during Lockdown and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Psychosocial Characteristics of Involuntary Celibates (Incels): A Review of Empirical Research and Assessment of the Potential Implications of Research on Adult Virginity and Late Sexual Onset

Measuring Individuals’ Misogynistic Attitudes: Development and Validation of the Misogyny Scale

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