Personal and expert knowledge in online mental health communities
1
St.Petersburg University, St.Petersburg, Russian Federation
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2617
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
In the context of digitalization, discussions of health issues, including mental health, are actively moving online. This leads to the creation of online communities where people can share their experiences, receive support, and exchange experiences. The challenge of experts’ monopoly on creating illness narratives and the recognition of personal experience as an important source of knowledge may be characteristic of such communities. The aim of the study was to identify markers of personal and expert knowledge in the narratives of participants in online mental health communities dedicated to the discussion of various topics
METHODS:
The object of the study was Russian online mental health activist communities created by people who, although not expert status, possess personal knowledge about mental disorders. The selected texts were analyzed using thematic analysis.
RESULTS:
The following themes were identified during the analysis: diagnosis; treatment; experience of living with a mental disorder; Structural problems in mental health care. Within each theme, codes were identified that marked the use of personal and expert knowledge. Narratives of online mental health community participants utilize elements of personal and expert knowledge in different ways when discussing key topics. The authority of expert knowledge is most clearly evident when discussing diagnosis. In narratives regarding treatment, the position of expert knowledge is less clear-cut. Narratives about living with mental illness predictably emphasize personal knowledge. Narratives about structural problems in mental health care build from personal examples to legitimation through appeals to expert knowledge, such as statistics.
CONCLUSIONS:
Understanding how the narratives of online mental health community participants combine elements of personal and expert knowledge is important for unlocking the potential of narrative approaches to mental health in the digital age. The research was supported by Russian Science Foundation (22-18-00261-P).
In the context of digitalization, discussions of health issues, including mental health, are actively moving online. This leads to the creation of online communities where people can share their experiences, receive support, and exchange experiences. The challenge of experts’ monopoly on creating illness narratives and the recognition of personal experience as an important source of knowledge may be characteristic of such communities. The aim of the study was to identify markers of personal and expert knowledge in the narratives of participants in online mental health communities dedicated to the discussion of various topics
METHODS:
The object of the study was Russian online mental health activist communities created by people who, although not expert status, possess personal knowledge about mental disorders. The selected texts were analyzed using thematic analysis.
RESULTS:
The following themes were identified during the analysis: diagnosis; treatment; experience of living with a mental disorder; Structural problems in mental health care. Within each theme, codes were identified that marked the use of personal and expert knowledge. Narratives of online mental health community participants utilize elements of personal and expert knowledge in different ways when discussing key topics. The authority of expert knowledge is most clearly evident when discussing diagnosis. In narratives regarding treatment, the position of expert knowledge is less clear-cut. Narratives about living with mental illness predictably emphasize personal knowledge. Narratives about structural problems in mental health care build from personal examples to legitimation through appeals to expert knowledge, such as statistics.
CONCLUSIONS:
Understanding how the narratives of online mental health community participants combine elements of personal and expert knowledge is important for unlocking the potential of narrative approaches to mental health in the digital age. The research was supported by Russian Science Foundation (22-18-00261-P).
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
