Stommel2011

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Stommel2011
BibType ARTICLE
Key Stommel2011
Author(s) Wyke Stommel, Frans J. Meijman
Title The Use of Conversation Analysis to Study Social Accessibility of an Online Support Group on Eating Disorders
Editor(s)
Tag(s) Access to Information, Blogging, Communication, Feeding and Eating Disorders, Humans, Internet, Interpersonal Relations, Research Design, Self-Help Groups
Publisher
Year 2011
Language
City
Month jun
Journal Global Health Promotion
Volume 18
Number 2
Pages 18–26
URL
DOI 10.1177/1757975911404764
ISBN
Organization
Institution
School
Type
Edition
Series
Howpublished
Book title
Chapter

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Abstract

We conducted a conversation analysis of 21 threads initiated by newcomers of an online support group (OSG) on eating disorders, to examine the discursive process of entering such a group. The analysis revealed three important issues. First, many newcomers articulate that the step to join the group is extremely difficult. Second, a presentation of the self in terms of a diagnosis works as a legitimization for joining the forum. The data suggest that participants who do not fulfil the conditions for such a legitimization do not join the forum. Third, the option of acquiring a serious symptom as a solution to the legitimization problem is offered by one of the regular members. Hence, the newcomers' discourse reveals issues relevant to the accessibility for undiagnosed sufferers. We discuss these findings theoretically as a phenomenon of self-presentation in relation to community norms. The analysis generates the hypothesis that newcomers are confronted with implicit norms regarding membership legitimacy that they should obey in their self-presentation, although they may not be ready yet to actually do so. OSGs should find strategies to facilitate various possibilities for newcomers to present themselves to the group while becoming a member.

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