Evolution of discussion topics on an online depression self-help group

IF 3.4 3区管理学 0 INFORMATION SCIENCE & LIBRARY SCIENCE

Library Hi Tech Pub Date : 2023-02-09 DOI:10.1108/lht-07-2022-0317

H. Sun, Pnina Fichman

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引用次数: 2

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims to explore the evolutionary pattern of discussion topics over time in an online depression self-help community.Design/methodology/approachUsing the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) method, the authors analyzed 17,534 posts and 138,567 comments posted over 8 years on an online depression self-help group in China and identified the major discussion topics. Based on significant changes in the frequency of posts over time, the authors identified five stages of development. Through a comparative analysis of discussion topics in the five stages, the authors identified the changes in the extent and range of topics over time. The authors discuss the influence of socio-cultural factors on depressed individuals' health information behavior.FindingsThe results illustrate an evolutionary pattern of topics in users' discussion in the online depression self-help group, including five distinct stages with a sequence of topic changes. The discussion topics of the group included self-reflection, daily record, peer diagnosis, companionship support and instrumental support. While some prominent topics were discussed frequently in each stage, some topics were short-lived.Originality/valueWhile most prior research has ignored topic changes over time, the study takes an evolutionary perspective of online discussion topics among depressed individuals. The authors provide a nuanced account of the progression of topics through five distinct stages, showing that the community experienced a sequence of changes as it developed. Identifying this evolutionary pattern extends the scope of research on depression therapy in China and offers a deeper understanding of the support that individuals with depression seek, receive and provide online.

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在线抑郁症自助小组讨论话题的演变

目的本研究旨在探索在线抑郁症自助社区中讨论主题随时间的演变模式。设计/方法/方法使用潜在狄利克雷分配（LDA）方法，作者分析了中国一个在线抑郁症自助小组8年来发布的17534条帖子和138567条评论，并确定了主要的讨论主题。基于帖子频率随时间的显著变化，作者确定了五个发展阶段。通过对五个阶段讨论主题的比较分析，作者确定了主题的范围和范围随时间的变化。探讨了社会文化因素对抑郁个体健康信息行为的影响。研究结果表明，在线抑郁症自助小组中用户讨论的话题有一种进化模式，包括五个不同的阶段和一系列的话题变化。小组讨论的主题包括自我反思、日常记录、同伴诊断、陪伴支持和工具支持。虽然在每个阶段都经常讨论一些突出的话题，但有些话题是短暂的。原创性/价值虽然大多数先前的研究都忽略了话题随时间的变化，但这项研究从进化的角度看待了抑郁症患者的在线讨论话题。作者对主题在五个不同阶段的进展进行了细致的描述，表明社区在发展过程中经历了一系列变化。识别这种进化模式扩展了中国抑郁症治疗的研究范围，并对抑郁症患者在网上寻求、接受和提供的支持有了更深入的了解。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Library Hi Tech INFORMATION SCIENCE & LIBRARY SCIENCE-

CiteScore

8.30

自引率

44.10%

发文量

期刊介绍： ■Integrated library systems ■Networking ■Strategic planning ■Policy implementation across entire institutions ■Security ■Automation systems ■The role of consortia ■Resource access initiatives ■Architecture and technology ■Electronic publishing ■Library technology in specific countries ■User perspectives on technology ■How technology can help disabled library users ■Library-related web sites