Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Role Of Blogging Across Stages Of Change In Recovery From Anorexia Nervosa, Sarah A. Kupper

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This exploratory, mixed-methods study sought to understand how individuals at various stages of change in the recovery process from Anorexia Nervosa (AN) use blogging. The study also aimed to discover why these individuals begin blogging and the impact of this activity on the recovery process. A total of 13 participants were included in the sample for this study. An internet survey measured bloggers' stage of change using the Anorexia Nervosa Stage of Change Questionnaire (ANSOCQ). Additionally, the survey contained open-ended, qualitative questions eliciting bloggers' reasons for beginning to blog, as well as how they perceived the influence of blogging on …

Blogging In The Fatosphere: A Qualitative Study Of Perceptions Of Personal Risks And Benefits For Women Who Blog About Weight, Weight Loss, And Dieting Issues, Melissa Marie Sneed

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the perceptions of the personal risks and benefits of women who blog about weight, weight loss, and dieting issues. Many overweight women use blogs as a tool during their weight loss journeys to garner support. The experiences of 5 women who blog about weight and dieting issues were collected through 45 minute in-depth interviews. The author's own experiences with blogging is analyzed as well. A qualitative approach was taken when analyzing the data. Eight emergent themes came from the research data. The benefits of this study are significant for current and future research regarding the influence of …

Mom Blogs: Portrayals Of Contemporary Mothering Standards, Styles, And Secrets, Angela Nuttall Ward

Theses and Dissertations

Internet use is a routine element of daily life in the early 21st century for many middle-class Americans. Today, millions of middle-class American mothers read and write online web-logs detailing motherhood and domestic life and mom blogs, formerly known as "mommy blogs," facilitate substantial economic activity. Participants collectively invest millions of hours in these blogs, sharing information and experiences, and offering each other validation and support. The present qualitative study of American mom blogs uses traditional grounded theory methods as well as Netnography techniques to investigate the thematic content found in the publicly posted text of 25 different mom blogs …

Parenting Blog Coverage Of The Autism-Vaccine Controversy, Aidan Bryant

Media Studies - Theses

This study examines source type, citation accuracy, and anecdotal reliance in parenting blog articles about the autism/vaccine controversy. Existing literature on common errors and shortcomings of traditional health journalism, in conjunction with existing guidelines and suggestions for optimal health journalism practices, were used to synthesize a content analysis code structure. The code structure was used to examine 122 parenting blog posts from 18 different blogs, spanning a time period from June 22, 2005 to January 9, 2012, for details including the following:

• author demographics (gender, profession, parenthood, vaccination patterns)

• type of blog the article appeared in

• author stance of the …

Consider The Source: Receiver-Assigned Attributions Of Credibility To Influential Bloggers, Aaron Michael Sachs

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to examine credibility as it pertains to blogging. While studies have traditionally considered credibility in the context of the material being created, this study examines source credibility in the context of the personality creating the material. Therefore, this study functions primarily as an exploratory study and seeks to present an understanding of source credibility from the perspective of the individuals participating in blogging communities cultivated by influential bloggers. An interview questionnaire was specially developed for this study. Ten participants were selected for this study. Eight of them are females, two of the participants are …