Connectedness in the time of Covid-19

Reddit as a source of support for coping with suicidal thinking

Bibliographic Data

ID21258333
AuthorsCorey McAuliffe (0000-0002-7868-564X, University of British Columbia), Allie Slemon (0000-0003-4554-7109, University of British Columbia), Trevor Goodyear (0000-0002-7068-575X, University of British Columbia), Liza McGuinness (0000-0003-4664-8104, University of British Columbia), Elizabeth Shaffer (0000-0001-6017-1539, University of British Columbia), Emily K Jenkins, Emily Jenkins (0000-0003-4649-2904, University of British Columbia, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume2
Pages100062
Publication date2022-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSSM - Qualitative Research in Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2667-3215 • E-ISSN: 2667-3215
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.ssmqr.2022.100062
PMID35224533
OpenAlexW4212995007
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited32

The COVID-19 pandemic is adversely impacting suicidality at a population level, with consequences resulting from a variety of pandemic-driven disruptions, including social activities and connectedness. This paper uses a single case study design to explore how members of the Reddit r/COVID19_support community create a sense of connectedness among those who have suicidal thoughts due to the pandemic. Data were gathered from posts to the r/COVID19_support subreddit forum from February 2020 through December 2020. The second step of Klonsky and May's (2015) Three-Step Theory (3ST) of suicide, connectedness as a key protective factor, was used as the theoretical framework. This study explored r/COVID19_support's constructed environment, users' dialogical interactions, and the four primary tenets of connectedness as proposed by Klonsky and May – Purpose and Meaning, Relationships, Religiosity, and Employment. Findings demonstrate a deep sense of connectedness for online community members. Relationships and Purpose and Meaning featured as the most salient sources of connectedness within this subreddit, whereas Religiosity was rarely discussed, and Employment was often spoken of in negative terms (i.e., creating mental distress, rather than facilitating connectedness). Contributors' responses offered various opportunities for connectedness both on- and off-line. Safe online spaces, such as r/COVID19_support, can serve as a protective factor amid suicidality, facilitating connectedness, and thereby helping to curtail suicidal thoughts from advancing to suicidal actions. This subreddit and similar online spaces can benefit specific populations who may otherwise find it challenging to access services or who wish to remain anonymous

Dialogical self · Distress · Mental distress · Mental health · Online community · Political science · Protective factor · Psychotherapist · Religiosity · Social connectedness · Clinical Psychology · Digital Mental Health Interventions · Medicine · Mental Health via Writing · Psychology · Social Psychology · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies