My Story of Depression: A Content Analysis of Autobiographic Videos on Douyin

Li, Jinxu; Tang, Lu; Pu, Yunsha

doi:10.1080/10410236.2023.2191887

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 39 publications

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“…1 Although it is a pervasive health experience, numerous Chinese depression sufferers opt to mask their emotions in face-to-face communication to sidestep potential discrimination, which may result in delayed treatment, and even cause suicide. 2 With the spread of the internet, depression sufferers find a beneficial way to draw social support from strange netizens, 3 thus attracting increasing academic attention. However, existing research coping with online social support has focused on its management and effectiveness in reducing depressive symptoms.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“No man is an island”: How Chinese netizens use deliberate metaphors to provide “depression sufferers” with social support

Jing,

Jiang

2024

DIGITAL HEALTH

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Objective Online social support provides a way to positively influence depression sufferers. In the present study, we aim to analyze how social support in Chinese online depression communities is communicated through the lens of deliberate metaphor theory (DMT) to deepen the understanding of the under-researched complicated, emotionally laden, and culture-related concepts of this experience. Methods We collected data (n = 3546 comments) from the Warm Supporting section of the Depression Super Topic, a major Chinese online depression community on Weibo. The data were analyzed using a metaphorical analysis with the Metaphor Identification Procedure Vrije Universiteit and a thematic analysis. Results Our findings identify two themes: deliberate metaphors (DMs) of depression and DMs of social environment for depression sufferers. The former conceptualizes future expectations without depression (as rosy images; victorious battles; the beaten black dog); disorder (as subtle objects; subjective initiative events); depression sufferers (as valuable objects; important roles); and present life with depression (as optional events; spiritual practices; fragile objects). The latter conceptualizes social connection (as solid objects; nonessentials); individuals in the social environment (as energetic objects; vicious roles); and prejudice (as colored objects). Conclusions The findings suggest that DMs as important online social support resources, helping to express empathy and normalize depression with more common-sense, and non-judgmental concepts. Additionally, in DMs, Chinese netizens navigate the intricate intersection of medical and moral perspectives on depression and its recovery, leveraging both aspects to offer comprehensive social support. “Confucian-based” elements are embedded in culture-related social support expressions in DMs. In practice, our findings contribute to tailored and appropriate health interventions for depression.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%