Form, function, and meaning of text-based participation in a virtual community for individuals with schizophrenia
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22422862 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Ryoko Tomizawa (0000-0003-2358-3934, Akita University, corresponding author), Sachie Minakawa (0009-0005-1433-1067, Akita University), Georg Gappmayer (0000-0003-1054-7598, University of Applied Sciences Campus Wien) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-16 |
| Publication date | 2026-04-22 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Occupational Science (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1442-7591 • E-ISSN: 2158-1576 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/14427591.2026.2651448 |
| OpenAlex | W7155221305 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 38 |
While evidence suggests that people with severe mental illness engage with virtual communities, the nature of their participation and its relationship to social participation and well-being remain unclear. We examined how the form, function, and meaning of text-based participation evolved within a virtual community for individuals with schizophrenia. Data were collected using the LiLEDDA method, a form of netnography, and analyzed using the modified grounded theory approach. We focused on a virtual community in Japan managed by and for people with schizophrenia. From 916 publicly accessible blog posts written by 1 administrator and 25 users, 151 posts were purposively selected based on their relevance to participation experiences. Analysis generated seven concepts and two subcategories, later organized into three overarching categories: occupational form, function, and meaning. The form of participation evolved from free-text interaction to need-aligned subgroup interaction and, for some participants, to user-led occupations. Correspondingly, meaning shifted from safety through peer connection to rebuilding self-identity through role enactment. Function changed from problem-solving through information exchange to capability building for social participation and, in some cases, to effective peer support grounded in experiential knowledge. Overall, changes in form, function, and meaning occurred in parallel as participation within the community developed. These findings suggest that virtual communities serve as complementary environments in which people with schizophrenia can develop social capabilities, clarify their sense of self, and follow diverse participation trajectories, including sustained involvement in the virtual community or increased engagement in offline social and community life.
Occupational science · Virtual community · Virtual reality · Virtual world · Counseling, Therapy, and Family Dynamics · Digital Mental Health Interventions · Mental Health via Writing
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| Highly cited | No |
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