Title of Study
EMSA: Erstes Mal, Menstruation und SchwangerschaftsAbbruch als Themen der sexuellen und reproduktiven Online-Gesundheitskommunikation [Sexual Debut, Menstruation and Abortion as topics of sexual and reproductive online health communication]
Research Aim
Within three sub-studies over the course of three years, this research project in the field of communication science will systematically investigate how
- the abortion,
- the sexual debut and
- the menstruation
are represented and discussed in social media.
Methodology
The study is based on systematic media content analyses of posts on leading social media platforms (primarily YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram). In addition, public user comments on the corresponding posts are analyzed. The quantitative media content analyses are supplemented by qualitative interviews with adolescents and young adults on the use and subjective impact of social media posts and comments on the focused topics.
Scientific Relevance
Abortion, sexual debut and menstruation are important sexual and reproductive health topics that are widely presented and discussed in social media. To date, however, corresponding German-language posts and public publication comments have not been systematically studied scientifically. Accordingly, the EMSA study closes a research gap in the field of online health communication.
Practical Relevance
The results of the EMSA study are also relevant for sexual and reproductive education and counseling. Only if we know how abortion, sexual debut and menstruation are portrayed and discussed in social media today, we can pick up young people where they stand on these topics. Accordingly, the EMSA project results can help to strengthen young people in their ability to search for online content on sexual and reproductive health that is suitable for them in a targeted manner, if necessary, and to critically assess problematic online content.
Project Duration
2023 – 2026
Funding
Independent research project funded by the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA).
Project Website at the BZgA
Publikations
- Döring, N. (2023). Die „EMSA“-Studie: Erstes Mal, Menstruation und Schwangerschaftsabbruch in Sozialen Medien [Project Outline: The „EMSA“ Study – Sexual Debut, Menstruation and Abortion in Social Media]. FORUM Sexualaufklärung und Familienplanung: Informationsdienst der Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) 1/2023, 93-96. https://www.sexualaufklaerung.de/publikation/forum-2023-1-forschung/
- Döring, N. (2023). Online-Videos zum Schwangerschaftsabbruch: Anbieter, Botschaften und Publikumsreaktionen [Online Abortion Videos: Content Creators, Messages, and Audience Reactions]. FORUM Sexualaufklärung und Familienplanung: Informationsdienst der Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) 1/2023, 41-47. https://www.sexualaufklaerung.de/publikation/forum-2023-1-forschung/
- Döring, N. & Kubitza, E. (2023). “Ich fühlte mich so alleine damit, aber dein Video hat mir geholfen”. Der Schwangerschaftsabbruch auf YouTube und TikTok ["I felt so alone with this, but your video helped me". The representation of abortion on YouTube and TikTok]. merz – medien + erziehung. zeitschrift für medienpädagogik, online exklusiv, 22.5.2023. https://www.merz-zeitschrift.de/swipe-des-monats/details/ich-fuehlte-mich-so-alleine-damit-aber-dein-video-hat-mir-geholfen
- Döring, (2023, November 2-5). Abortion Communication on YouTube and TikTok: A Content Analysis (ID 1120, Track Education). 26th Congress of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) in Antalya, Türkiye.
- Döring, N. (2023). Abortion Attitudes (Media Content, User Comments). DOCA – Database of Variables for Content Analysis. https://doi.org/10.34778/5y
- Döring, N. & Schumann-Doermer, C. (2023). Öffentliches Sprechen über persönliche Abtreibungserfahrungen: Zwischen Empowerment und Disempowerment [Public Speaking about Personal Abortion Experiences: Between Empowerment and Disempowerment]. Zeitschrift für Sexualforschung, 36(04), 223-232. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2191-9640
