Responding to depression-related Imgur posts: A content analysis of social support and non-bona fide features in user-generated comments

Hale, Brent J.

doi:10.1177/2055207619890476

Cited by 3 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…While reassuring support emerged more prominently than empathic and informational support in both Imgur and YouTube comments (Hale et al, 2018), this support type has been largely excluded from previous online cancer-related social support research (see Rains et al, 2015), and thus the relative prevalence of this support type is difficult to assess across studies. In addition, the findings of this study differ notably from a previous analysis of depression-related Imgur posts (Hale, 2019), where reassuring support emerged at a similar frequency to empathic and informational support (and lower levels than that found here), followed by tangible support. Considered together, these results agree with the propositions of optimal matching theory (Cutrona & Russell, 1990; Rains et al, 2015), as stressor characteristics (i.e., cancer versus depression) seem to affect the provision of different forms of support more than the platforms through which support is sought and provided.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, previous analyses of Imgur content indicate that humor is commonly utilized in this context (Hale, 2017, 2019; Mikal et al, 2014). B. J. Hale (2019) found that non-bona fide linguistic features (e.g., humor, irony, and sarcasm) frequently manifested but rarely coincided with support in comments responding to Imgur posts about depression.…”

Section: Narrativementioning

confidence: 88%

“…Some scholars argue that humor functions as a distinct coping strategy (e.g., Mora-Ripoll, 2010; Roaldsen et al, 2015), while others contend that humor facilitates support provision (Kuiper & McHale, 2009;Martin & Lefcourt, 2004). Moreover, previous analyses of Imgur content indicate that humor is commonly utilized in this context (Hale, 2017(Hale, , 2019Mikal et al, 2014). B. J.…”

Section: H2mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…B. J. Hale (2019) found that non-bona fide linguistic features (e.g., humor, irony, and sarcasm) frequently manifested but rarely coincided with support in comments responding to Imgur posts about depression. However, it is yet unknown whether a relationship exists between posts that utilize humor and the provision of support in comments.…”

Section: Rq3 Will the Inclusion Of Pleads For Audience Checkup Promot...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Posting About Cancer: Predicting Social Support in Imgur Comments

Hale

Collins

Kilgo

2020

Social Media + Society

Self Cite

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People who are affected by cancer can benefit greatly from social support and digital social networks, though our understanding of online support is primarily founded in dominant platforms like Facebook. In addition, while previous scholarship indicates that social support is available online, little research has examined predictors of support provision. A content analysis was performed to examine the relationship between narrative features in Imgur posts and social support in comments. Imgur ( Imgur.com ) is a social media site and image-hosting platform, amassing over 250 million monthly visitors. Six post features were hypothesized to predict support, including explanations of the diagnosis experience, evidence of agentive problem solving, indications of positive reappraisal, pleads for the audience to get a checkup, references to mortality, and inclusion of humor. The results of this study indicate a relationship between narrative construction and social support, finding that the inclusion of narrative features in cancer-related posts influenced the provision of support in comments. Findings of this study could have implications for a multitude of stakeholders interested in social support provision, including healthcare professionals and researchers interested in the use of social media platforms for support, and organizations interested in designing supportive online platforms for individuals coping with cancer.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Section: Narrativementioning

confidence: 88%

Section: H2mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Rq3 Will the Inclusion Of Pleads For Audience Checkup Promot...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Posting About Cancer: Predicting Social Support in Imgur Comments

Hale

Collins

Kilgo

2020

Social Media + Society

Self Cite

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“… 20 Therefore, online social support empowers depression sufferers, facilitating the development of a sense of self-determination. 5 , 24 …”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

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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Utilizing health-related text on social media for depression research: themes and methods

Yao,

Wang,

Chen

et al. 2023

LHT

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PurposeSocial media texts as a data source in depression research have emerged as a significant convergence between Information Management and Public Health in recent years. This paper aims to sort out the depression-related study conducted on the text on social media, with particular attention to the research theme and methods.Design/methodology/approachThe authors finally selected research articles published in Web of Science, Wiley, ACM Digital Library, EBSCO, IEEE Xplore and JMIR databases, covering 57 articles.Findings(1) According to the coding results, Depression Prediction and Linguistic Characteristics and Information Behavior are the two most popular themes. The theme of Patient Needs has progressed over the past few years. Still, there is a lesser focus on Stigma and Antidepressants. (2) Researchers prefer quantitative methods such as machine learning and statistical analysis to qualitative ones. (4) According to the analysis of the data collection platforms, more researchers used comprehensive social media sites like Reddit and Facebook than depression-specific communities like Sunforum and Alonelylife.Practical implicationsThe authors recommend employing machine learning and statistical analysis to explore factors related to Stigmatization and Antidepressants thoroughly. Additionally, conducting mixed-methods studies incorporating data from diverse sources would be valuable. Such approaches would provide insights beneficial to policymakers and pharmaceutical companies seeking a comprehensive understanding of depression.Originality/valueThis article signifies a pioneering effort in systematically gathering and examining the themes and methodologies within the intersection of health-related texts on social media and depression.

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Responding to depression-related Imgur posts: A content analysis of social support and non-bona fide features in user-generated comments

Cited by 3 publications

References 58 publications

Posting About Cancer: Predicting Social Support in Imgur Comments

Posting About Cancer: Predicting Social Support in Imgur Comments

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

Utilizing health-related text on social media for depression research: themes and methods

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