Kendal Sarah, Kirk Sue, Elvey Rebecca, Catchpole Roger, Pryjmachuk Steven
School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK.
School of Nursing Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
Health Expect. 2017 Feb;20(1):98-111. doi: 10.1111/hex.12439. Epub 2016 Jan 3.
Young people with eating disorders are at risk of harm to their social, emotional and physical development and life chances. Although they can be reluctant to seek help, they may access social media for information, advice or support. The relationship between social media and youth well-being is an emotive subject, but not clearly understood. This qualitative study aimed to explore how young people used a youth-orientated, moderated, online, eating disorders discussion forum, run by an eating disorders charity.
We applied a netnographic approach involving downloading and thematically analysing over 400 messages posted August-November 2012.
Data analysis generated five themes: Taking on the role of mentor; the online discussion forum as a safe space; Friendship within the online forum; Flexible help; and Peer support for recovery and relapse prevention. Forum moderation may have influenced the forum culture.
Our findings are consistent with literature about youth preferences for mental health self-care support. A young person's decision to use this discussion forum can be construed as pro-active self-care. A moderated online discussion forum can make a positive contribution to support for youth with eating disorders, countering negative media perceptions of online groups.
This study adds to knowledge about how young people access support via social media. Online discussion forums can be safe and acceptable spaces for youth to access help. Further research could provide insights into the impact of forum moderation.
患有饮食失调症的年轻人在社交、情感、身体发育以及生活机遇方面面临受到伤害的风险。尽管他们可能不愿寻求帮助，但他们可能会通过社交媒体获取信息、建议或支持。社交媒体与青少年幸福感之间的关系是一个情绪化的话题，但尚未得到清晰的理解。这项定性研究旨在探讨年轻人如何使用一个由饮食失调症慈善机构运营的、面向青少年的、经过管理的在线饮食失调症讨论论坛。
我们采用了一种网络民族志方法，包括下载并对2012年8月至11月期间发布的400多条信息进行主题分析。
数据分析产生了五个主题：承担导师角色；在线讨论论坛作为一个安全空间；在线论坛中的友谊；灵活的帮助；以及同伴对康复和预防复发的支持。论坛管理可能影响了论坛文化。
我们的研究结果与关于青少年对心理健康自我护理支持偏好的文献一致。年轻人决定使用这个讨论论坛可以被视为积极主动的自我护理。一个经过管理的在线讨论论坛可以为支持患有饮食失调症的青少年做出积极贡献，反驳媒体对在线群体的负面看法。
这项研究增加了关于年轻人如何通过社交媒体获得支持的知识。在线讨论论坛可以成为青少年获得帮助的安全且可接受的空间。进一步的研究可以深入了解论坛管理的影响。
