Department of Communication, University of Delaware.
Health Commun. 2023 Dec;38(14):3336-3345. doi: 10.1080/10410236.2022.2149091. Epub 2023 Jan 15.
Youth get their sexual health information from social media, often from social media influencers (SMIs) or microcelebrities with large followings. Previous research suggests that SMIs have powerful persuasive effects on attitudes and behaviors. Thus, it is important to examine the ways in which sexual health information, such as birth control, is conveyed by SMIs. Using framing theory as a theoretical framework, this study examines characteristics of SMIs and their shared experiences pertaining to birth control. A content analysis of YouTube vlogs ( = 50) posted from December 2019-2021 was conducted on SMIs who talk about their experiences using hormonal and non-hormonal birth control. SMI status was determined based on the number of people subscribed to the YouTube channels. Results suggest that SMI YouTube videos are primarily about the discontinuation of hormonal birth control and may provide inaccurate sexual health information. Reasons for discontinuation of hormonal birth control provided by the SMIs are discussed. Future research should explore the effects of influencer sexual health messaging on beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors.
年轻人从社交媒体获取性健康信息,这些信息通常来自拥有大量粉丝的社交媒体影响者(SMI)或微型名人。先前的研究表明,SMI 对态度和行为具有强大的说服力。因此,重要的是要研究 SMI 传达性健康信息(如避孕)的方式。本研究使用框架理论作为理论框架,研究了 SMI 的特征及其与避孕相关的共同经历。对 2019 年 12 月至 2021 年期间发布的关于谈论使用激素和非激素避孕经历的 SMI 的 YouTube 视频( = 50)进行了内容分析。根据订阅 YouTube 频道的人数确定 SMI 地位。结果表明,SMI 的 YouTube 视频主要是关于停止使用激素避孕,并且可能提供不准确的性健康信息。讨论了 SMI 提供的停止使用激素避孕的原因。未来的研究应探讨影响者的性健康信息对信念、态度和行为的影响。