TITLE:
Focus on Infertility—Women’s Experiences of Using Social Media: A Qualitative Study
AUTHORS:
Taina Sormunen, Klas Karlgren, Bjöörn Fossum, Arthur Aanesen, Margareta Westerbotn
KEYWORDS:
Female, Infertility, Social Media, Thematic Analysis
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.9 No.5,
May
19,
2021
ABSTRACT: Background: Social media have slotted firmly into the mechanics of daily life,
affecting people’s everyday interactions, and working life. Access to the
Internet has changed the way people search for information, manage health and
illness, and how they relate to each other. Persons affected by infertility are
likely to search the Internet to obtain infertility-related information and
social support. However, evidence is needed regarding
the way in which the target group uses the Internet in infertility-related
issues. The aim of the study is to describe infertile women’s experiences
of using social media focusing on infertility. Methods: This study is
based on qualitative semi-structured telephone interviews with seven women. The
interviews were conducted between May 2020 and November 2020 and were audio
recorded and transcribed verbatim. Collected data were analyzed using thematic
analysis. Results: Two themes were constructed from the data: Invaluable venue and Opportunity of choice. The
women used social media focusing on infertility to support each other, to find
infertility-related information and for fellowship and solidarity. Usage of
social media forums was a part of everyday life and different forums were used, depending upon
where the women were in the treatment process. Further, decisions about choice
of group were based on which age groups were targeted and geographical
location. Conclusion: Infertility is one of the most stressful events in
life and is associated with a rollercoaster of emotions. The use of social
media focusing on infertility was experienced as positive, providing valuable
information, support, eliminating loneliness and being a breathing space.
Different forums were used depending on where the women were in the treatment
process.