Submission ID 90606
| Poster Code | HR-P-8 |
|---|---|
| Title of Abstract | A case study of informal mental health communities on Reddit |
| Abstract Submission | Background: The internet has given rise to massive informal online communities where individuals gather to share experiences and information about mental health. These communities continue to grow rapidly regardless of the opinions of experts, and academic understandings of them are needed in order to inform public mental health in the digital age. The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the nature of informal online mental health communities through a case study of depression and anxiety "subreddit" communities on the discussion platform Reddit. Methods: Case study methodology informed the use of three primary methods: 1) a scoping review of academic studies of depression and anxiety using data collected from Reddit, 2) a qualitative content analysis of all user posts containing the term "medical" posted in case communities over a one-month period, and 3) a reflexive thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with volunteer moderators of case subreddits. Results: The full dataset consisted of 54 academic studies, 233 user posts, and 8 in-depth interviews. The scoping review showed that research in this area mostly adopts a methodology that combines machine learning and the medical model of mental health, resulting in a technical, solution-based approach to depression and anxiety. In contrast, the content analysis illustrated expansive naturalistic usages of the term "medical" by users. Finally, the analysis of interviews highlighted the critical function of moderation in the quality and sustained functioning of Reddit's mental health communities. Discussion: Case-level findings elucidate the unique nature of Reddit's mental health communities as a source of connection and text-based peer support among a vast, fluid, and pseudonymous public of users. Critical implications of informal online communities for mental health are discussed in terms of intersections with research practice, social media businesses, professional mental health care, and institutional public health in the digital age. |
| Please indicate who nominated you | Dr. Bonnie Lashewicz |
| What Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) institute is your research most closely aligned? | Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction Population and Public Health |
| What Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) pillar of health research does your research fall under? | Population health |
| PDF of abstract | 2023 ICAM poster presentation abstract - Nick Boettcher.pdf 2023-01-16 at 13:52:13 |
| Presenter and Author(s) | Nick Boettcher Nick Boettcher |
