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We Got You, Mama: How Facebook Mom Groups Support Members Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence
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- Author(s) / Creator(s)
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With the rise of social media, Facebook Mom Groups have become an important resource for mothers to connect over their shared identity and provide support and information to one another. These female-focused groups have become safe spaces for members to have vulnerable conversations, including sharing past and present experiences of intimate partner violence. Through the analysis of secondary data (existing Facebook posts and comments), this study explores what kind of support members of an international Facebook Mom Group seek out and receive, related to their experiences of intimate partner violence. In total, 71 original posts and 1,200 comments/replies were analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative content analysis. The study found that members who posted about intimate partner violence sought out advice, emotional support, social network connections, resources and confirmation of abuse from the group. The findings also revealed that 84.5% (N=60) of the 71 original posters received the type of support they were seeking from the group. Though the remaining 15.5% (N=11) did not receive the type of support they requested, they did receive at least one alternative type of support. The results of this research help to fill a gap in current knowledge, explore the benefits and risks associated with seeking support for intimate partner violence in a Facebook group, and can be used to inform communications strategies for social service agencies.
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- Date created
- 2024-07-01
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- Type of Item
- Report