The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom.
Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom.
J Med Internet Res. 2023 Aug 25;25:e40227. doi: 10.2196/40227.
Cybervictimization of people with long-term conditions is a disturbing phenomenon with a documented impact on health and well-being. These experiences are primarily examined using quantitative methods, focusing on children and young people. However, research centered on the cybervictimization of adults with chronic conditions is scarce, with limited qualitative input from the victims as experts in their own experiences.
This study aims to understand the impact of cybervictimization on the self-management of long-term conditions among adults with chronic conditions and disabilities in the United Kingdom.
This paper reports the findings from the qualitative phase of a phenomenologically informed mixed methods study. The biographical disruption concept was used to conceptualize the study. In-depth semistructured interviews were conducted with 13 participants with chronic conditions who experienced cybervictimization. A codebook was developed, and a zigzag approach to thematic analysis was used to define and refine themes. Ethical considerations and risk assessment were ongoing during the research process because of the sensitivity of the topic and cases of harassment.
Cybervictimization has direct and indirect impacts on the self-management of chronic conditions. This impact was verified across 6 overarching themes that emerged from this study. First, biomedical events included overall health deterioration because of existing conditions, new diagnoses, and subjective physical complaints. Second, the impact on mental health was perceived through psychological consequences and psychiatric disorders that developed after or during this traumatic experience. Third, the multilevel impact theme focused on disrupting the strategies for coping with health conditions and involved unplanned changes to victims' health management priorities. Fourth, the impact of complexity reflected the perceived uniqueness in each case, intersectionality, struggle to obtain formal support, and subsequent health complications. Fifth, social network involvement comprised the effects of social isolation, victim blaming, and deception. Finally, the disability discrimination theme focused on prejudice, issues on inclusion, and hostility in society, with subsequent effects on well-being.
People with long-term conditions experienced different forms of cybervictimization, all disruptive with various effects on health. Disability discrimination was a prominent finding to be further investigated. This paper reports the impact as themes to guide further research and practice, with the recognition that long-term conditions and impairments are not a homogeneous group. Despite the devastating consequences, there are positive points that strengthen potential interventions. Awareness-raising campaigns, training of support channels, and multidisciplinary research are recommended to tackle this issue and initiate change.
长期患病者的网络受害是一种令人不安的现象，已被证实会对健康和幸福感产生影响。这些经历主要通过定量方法进行研究，主要关注儿童和青少年。然而，针对患有慢性疾病的成年人网络受害的研究相对较少，且受害者作为自身经历的专家，提供的定性意见也很有限。
本研究旨在了解英国患有慢性疾病和残疾的成年人的网络受害对其慢性病自我管理的影响。
本论文报告了一项现象学启发的混合方法研究的定性阶段的研究结果。使用“传记干扰”概念来构思这项研究。对 13 名经历过网络受害的患有慢性疾病的参与者进行了深入的半结构化访谈。制定了一个代码本，并采用曲折式主题分析方法来定义和提炼主题。由于该主题的敏感性以及骚扰案例的存在，在研究过程中一直进行着伦理考虑和风险评估。
网络受害对慢性病的自我管理产生了直接和间接的影响。这一影响在从这项研究中出现的 6 个总体主题中得到了验证。首先，生物医学事件包括由于现有疾病、新诊断和主观身体投诉导致的整体健康恶化。其次，心理健康的影响是通过心理后果和创伤性经历后或期间发展的精神疾病来感知的。第三，多层次影响主题侧重于破坏应对健康状况的策略，并涉及受害者健康管理重点的意外变化。第四，复杂性的影响反映了每个案例的独特性、交叉性、争取获得正式支持的困难以及随后的健康并发症。第五，社交网络的参与包括社交孤立、受害者指责和欺骗的影响。最后，残疾歧视主题侧重于社会中的偏见、包容问题和敌意，以及对幸福感的后续影响。
患有慢性疾病的人经历了不同形式的网络受害，所有这些受害都对健康造成了不同程度的破坏。残疾歧视是一个需要进一步调查的突出发现。本文以主题的形式报告影响，以指导进一步的研究和实践，同时认识到慢性疾病和损伤不是一个同质群体。尽管后果严重，但也有一些积极的方面可以加强潜在的干预措施。建议开展提高认识的运动、培训支持渠道和多学科研究，以解决这一问题并引发变革。
