Narratives for healing: an exploration of interactions within an online community on navigating bullying trauma

Introduction. Online channels can be powerful vessels offering community bonding and support to cope with bullying-induced trauma. Drawing on the theoretical framework of narrative identity, through this initial exploration, we explore the emergent conversational themes of the subreddit (r/bullying...

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Main Authors: Subhasree Sengupta, Yin Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Borås 2025-03-01
Series:Information Research: An International Electronic Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://publicera.kb.se/ir/article/view/46924
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author Subhasree Sengupta
Yin Yang
author_facet Subhasree Sengupta
Yin Yang
author_sort Subhasree Sengupta
collection DOAJ
description Introduction. Online channels can be powerful vessels offering community bonding and support to cope with bullying-induced trauma. Drawing on the theoretical framework of narrative identity, through this initial exploration, we explore the emergent conversational themes of the subreddit (r/bullying) to understand how trauma is disclosed, its impact on the communal identity and the nature of support provided through such online collectives. Method. Data was collected using the Reddit API (praw) from the subreddit r/bullying. A random sample of 50 comments was analysed using thematic coding for this initial exploration. Results. A final set of five themes was developed as an outcome of the analysis. These included a wide array of topics ranging from disclosing deep-rooted resentment and trauma to ways of regaining one’s self-esteem to cope with psychological stress and struggle. Some themes also covered strategies and resources to develop endurance and resilience. Conclusions. These initial insights set the stage for unpacking how narrations of bullying and similar traumatic experiences shape and are shaped by information behavior in mediated contexts (such as online channels), which can hold essential perspectives for conceptualizing the future maintenance and sustenance vision of such virtual spaces.
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spelling doaj-art-a75097e22f7e4d91afb20c0643eee44d2025-08-20T01:57:20ZengUniversity of BoråsInformation Research: An International Electronic Journal1368-16132025-03-0130iConf10.47989/ir30iConf46924Narratives for healing: an exploration of interactions within an online community on navigating bullying traumaSubhasree Sengupta0Yin Yang1Florida State University, United States of AmericaFlorida State University, United States of America Introduction. Online channels can be powerful vessels offering community bonding and support to cope with bullying-induced trauma. Drawing on the theoretical framework of narrative identity, through this initial exploration, we explore the emergent conversational themes of the subreddit (r/bullying) to understand how trauma is disclosed, its impact on the communal identity and the nature of support provided through such online collectives. Method. Data was collected using the Reddit API (praw) from the subreddit r/bullying. A random sample of 50 comments was analysed using thematic coding for this initial exploration. Results. A final set of five themes was developed as an outcome of the analysis. These included a wide array of topics ranging from disclosing deep-rooted resentment and trauma to ways of regaining one’s self-esteem to cope with psychological stress and struggle. Some themes also covered strategies and resources to develop endurance and resilience. Conclusions. These initial insights set the stage for unpacking how narrations of bullying and similar traumatic experiences shape and are shaped by information behavior in mediated contexts (such as online channels), which can hold essential perspectives for conceptualizing the future maintenance and sustenance vision of such virtual spaces. https://publicera.kb.se/ir/article/view/46924Narrative IdentityTraumaOnline communitiesConversational dynamicsThematic Analysis
spellingShingle Subhasree Sengupta
Yin Yang
Narratives for healing: an exploration of interactions within an online community on navigating bullying trauma
Information Research: An International Electronic Journal
Narrative Identity
Trauma
Online communities
Conversational dynamics
Thematic Analysis
title Narratives for healing: an exploration of interactions within an online community on navigating bullying trauma
title_full Narratives for healing: an exploration of interactions within an online community on navigating bullying trauma
title_fullStr Narratives for healing: an exploration of interactions within an online community on navigating bullying trauma
title_full_unstemmed Narratives for healing: an exploration of interactions within an online community on navigating bullying trauma
title_short Narratives for healing: an exploration of interactions within an online community on navigating bullying trauma
title_sort narratives for healing an exploration of interactions within an online community on navigating bullying trauma
topic Narrative Identity
Trauma
Online communities
Conversational dynamics
Thematic Analysis
url https://publicera.kb.se/ir/article/view/46924
work_keys_str_mv AT subhasreesengupta narrativesforhealinganexplorationofinteractionswithinanonlinecommunityonnavigatingbullyingtrauma
AT yinyang narrativesforhealinganexplorationofinteractionswithinanonlinecommunityonnavigatingbullyingtrauma