Objective To identify major themes of interest posted by users of the foremost Facebook cochlear implant (CI) support group, understand how these users engage in online support communities, and identify educational gaps in CI care. Methods We conducted a retrospective thematic content analysis approach rooted in framework analysis. 536 Facebook posts were gathered over a two-week period in July 2024 from the Cochlear Implant Experiences Facebook group. Posts were analyzed for author, tone, content, and engagement metrics. Posts were inductively coded into more specific themes and subthemes by two coders with any disagreements resolved by consensus discussion. Results Majority of posts were authored by patients (81.6%), followed by unknown authors (11.8%), family members (6.2%), companies/vendors (0.2%), and providers (0.2%). The average number of reactions and comments was 22 and 20, respectively. Most posts had a neutral tone (49.6%), followed by a negative tone (28.3%), and positive tone (22.1%). Majority of posts were questions (69%), followed by experience-sharing (21%), and information-sharing posts (10%). Eight major themes were identified from the analysis. Conclusion Patients utilize this social media community for various reasons but overwhelmingly utilize it to ask questions related to management of the CI device and related equipment. These findings demonstrate trust among patients to gain information from each other and seek support, providing valuable information for providers and companies to fill educational gaps in CI care.

BackgroundTopical steroid withdrawal (TSW) is a controversial skin condition among health care providers due to a lack of evidence, but it has an impactful and growing presence on social media. There are few previous reports of health care utilization for symptoms attributed to TSW.ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate health care utilization and requests as well as information sources for TSW among patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).MethodsThis observational cross-sectional study used a questionnaire aimed at adults with AD, experiencing symptoms they attribute to TSW. The questionnaire was posted as a link, free to share with others, in a Swedish TSW−themed Facebook group and remained accessible for 4 weeks. Descriptive statistics and topical text analysis on open-ended items were used to present and interpret the results.ResultsThe participants (n=82) reported dermatologists (n=41, 50%), general practitioners (n=40, 49%), and practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM; n=32, 39%) as the most frequent health care contacts for TSW. However, among participants with ongoing symptoms attributed to TSW (n=68), ongoing health care contacts with general practitioners, dermatologists, and practitioners of CAM were reported by only 10% (n=7), 22% (n=15), and 13% (n=11), respectively. For symptoms attributed to AD, the frequencies of health care provider contacts were higher. Almost all participants had sought help from a general practitioner (n=81, 99%) or a dermatologist (n=76, 93%) at some point, and many had also consulted a practitioner of CAM (n=59, 72%). Among those with ongoing symptoms attributed to AD, 43% (n=26) had an ongoing contact with a dermatologist. Participant-requested help and support from health care providers included understanding and confirmation of TSW impairments (n=45, 56%), treatment of symptoms (n=26, 32%), and increased awareness and information about TSW from health care providers (n=21, 26%). The most common TSW information sources were Facebook (n=78, 96%), websites (n=75, 93%), and Instagram (n=45, 56%), but YouTube (n=11, 14%), podcasts (n=7, 10%), and TikTok (n=5, 6%) were also reported.ConclusionsThis study investigates health care utilization patterns related to TSW. The results indicate that the participants received insufficient support from health care providers for symptoms they attributed to TSW. The participants initiated and maintained health care provider contacts for symptoms attributed to AD to a greater extent than for TSW and sought information and support for TSW elsewhere. Targeted interventions to overcome this could be educational efforts for general practitioners and dermatologists about the current scientific knowledge of TSW as well as the TSW discourse on social media. In addition, health care providers need to engage and contribute to evidence-based content about TSW on relevant social media platforms to prevent the spread of misinformation about topical glucocorticoids.

Introduction: Effective communication between pregnant women/people and midwives is important in establishing trusting and respectful relationships. Texting and email have been shown to be convenient ways for people to connect and share information. Aim: This paper reports on findings from interviews with pregnant and recently pregnant women/people on what is important for them when using communication technology to connect with their midwife. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted using an online platform. Two participants had previously completed an online survey in phase 1B of the multi-phase study and had expressed interest in participating further. Three other participants were recruited via a closed Pregnancy Facebook group and midwives. All participants were emailed an invitation to participate. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the interview data. Findings: Three themes emerged from the findings, highlighting what was important for participants when using communication technology with their midwife during their pregnancy: being known, access and connectedness, and the midwife recognised as a professional. Discussion: Being known was important when using communication technology, as it enabled respectful and trusting relationships to develop. These relationships were further enhanced through the functionality of communication technology which provided space for participants to compose messages and respond to their midwife, and through the convenience and flexibility with being able to communicate in a non-intrusive manner. The professionalism of the midwife was recognised with ensuring privacy of information, despite participants being unconcerned about privacy themselves. Conclusion: The knowingness that comes from a continuity of care relationship contributed towards a relationship of trust. This was reflected in the respectful choices made by the participants when using communication technology to connect with their midwife.

This study examined post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity in caregivers of children with rare genetic conditions, focusing on the role of socioeconomic variables: education, family income, marital status, residence, and religious practice. One hundred parents were recruited: 50 of children with rare diseases and 50 of healthy children. The rare disease group was recruited via a patient association and Facebook groups; the control group through parenting forums and social media. A purposive and convenience sampling strategy was applied. All participants completed the PTSD Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition DSM-5 (PCL-5) and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests and two-way ANOVAs. No significant difference in overall PTSD severity emerged between groups. However, caregivers with higher education showed greater PTSD severity when caring for a child with a rare disease. Other socioeconomic factors were not significant. Tailored mental health support is recommended.

This study delves into the day-to-day experiences of teachers from the Philippines working in U.S. middle schools during the first few months of their employment. The study focuses on emotional difficulties, coping methods, and cultural resilience. The data were gathered from a publicly accessible Facebook group called "J-1 Filipino Teachers in the United States," where teachers willingly contributed reflective stories. The research used a netnographic qualitative methodology. To create a collection of posts, a selection was made based on whether each posting was relevant to the teachers' challenges and coping mechanisms. Following a thematic analysis, five significant conclusions were reached which are: Filipino teachers frequently encounter cultural dissonance and high levels of emotional exhaustion; they depend on faith, community, and structured routines to help them cope; their motivation is maintained by family and financial objectives; institutional support is frequently inadequate; and there is a need for systemic improvements in the areas of mentorship, onboarding, and mental health care. To ensure international teachers are not only well-supported but also retained, these findings highlight the importance of establishing culturally appropriate, emotionally supportive policies. This study contributes to the ongoing discussion of adjustment processes for migrant teachers and emphasizes the importance of placing cultural identity at the heart of educational policy and practice.

This article explores the increasing use of social media, particularly Facebook groups, by social workers for professional socialization and support. Social media platforms are used individually to promote services and develop professional identities, and collectively for knowledge sharing, mutual support, and critical reflection. The study focuses on Quebec social workers, examining their use of Facebook groups to connect, share experiences, and reduce work-related stress. Data were collected from a private Facebook group, posts within the group, and interviews with 14 social workers. The analysis identified three main action logics behind group usage: integration (community belonging), utility (finding tools and information), and subjectivation (questioning practices) (Jauréguiberry & Proulx, 2011). The study found that social workers use these groups primarily outside working hours for professional practice discussions, personal opinions, social mobilization, and job-related posts. Prudence emerged as a key theme, with participants exercising caution to protect their psychological well-being and professional reputation. Facebook groups serve as important spaces for professional socialization, offering support and resources while requiring careful navigation to avoid potential risks.

Artificial Intelligence (hereafter: AI) and AI-based tools have become an integral part of modern society and are increasingly being implemented in the educational system, both among teachers and students. This paper analyses the attitudes and trust of Croatian religious education teachers towards the application of AI tools in everyday life and in Catholic religious education classes. The empirical research was conducted through a survey among 1,400 religious education teachers gathered in the Facebook group “Školski vjeronauk – Vjeroučitelji” (eng. Religious Education in School – Religious education teachers, hereafter: ŠVV), with 205 participants (14.43%) anonymously completing the questionnaire in February 2025. The results indicate an ambivalent attitude of religious education teachers towards AI. Despite their limited knowledge of AI, they still recognize its potential. At the same time, they express a certain level of caution, particularly regarding the generation and processing of religious content, although they ultimately do not fear that these tools will replace them in the future. The primary concern of religious education teachers relates to the possible reduction of the interpersonal dimension of teaching and emphasises the need for clearer ethical guidelines in the integration of AI tools into the educational system.

ABSTRACT This qualitative study examines self-harm, suicidal ideation, and the gendered consequences of violence among Palestinian women in the West Bank, where Israeli military occupation, poverty, and patriarchal control create pervasive psychological distress. Drawing on 30 first-person testimonies from women-only Facebook groups, the study employs thematic analysis to explore how self-injury and suicidal thoughts emerge as embodied responses to political, familial, and economic violence. Findings reveal self-harm as both a language of suppressed pain and a health crisis, often exacerbated by loneliness, domestic abuse, deprivation, stigma, and the erosion of faith. Suicidal ideation is described as a chronic residue of trauma and hopelessness, shaped by persistent insecurity and maternal duty. The results illuminate how structural and interpersonal violence intersect to produce cycles of suffering, silence, and resistance. The study concludes that understanding self-harm and suicide among Palestinian women requires an analysis grounded in the political and social realities of Israeli occupation and gendered oppression.

Background of the Study: The emergence of social media has influenced various aspects of daily life, including how individuals seek religious knowledge and engage in spiritual practices. Facebook groups such as @Kami Bangga Menjadi Warga NU and @Warga Muhammadiyah have become digital platforms that facilitate religious learning and expression among followers. Objectives: This research was aimed to examine the influence of information-seeking patterns on religious activities among followers of the Facebook channels @Kami Bangga Menjadi Warga NU and @Warga Muhammadiyah. Method: The sample was conducted by purposive sampling method involving 83 respondents, determined using the Slovin formula and stratified proportional sampling. Collecting data was conducted by a questionnaire distributed directly to participants, supported by non-participant observation and documentation. The statistical method used was multiple linear regression analysis, with hypotheses testing of statistical t-tests and classical assumption tests. Finding: The result of this research showed that active and selective information-seeking behavior significantly enhanced religious engagement, with a regression coefficient of 1.058 (p = 0.000) and an explanatory power of 86.6% (R² = 0.866). Followers of @Warga Muhammadiyah scored higher in ideological and consequential dimensions, while @Kami Bangga Menjadi Warga NU followers scored higher in intellectual dimensions. The “Formulation” and “Presentation” stages of Kuhlthau’s model were the most frequently practiced stages of information-seeking behavior. Conclusion: The study concludes that information-seeking behavior through Facebook significantly affects multiple dimensions of religiosity. Facebook functions not only as a communication platform but also as a means of shaping religious understanding and practice in the digital age.

Around 70% of women experience vasomotor symptoms (VMS) over the menopause transition. These are a leading patient priority for treatment. To robustly evaluate treatment effectiveness, validated tools are needed. VMS diaries are widely used in clinical trials, but their content validity and acceptability for symptomatic women is not established. The objective of this study is to evaluate acceptability, content validity and face validity of available hot flash diaries. We conducted semi-structured interviews to explore acceptability, content, interpretation and experience of completion of three widely used hot flash diaries: Sloan, Guttuso, Menopause Strategies: Finding Lasting Answers for Symptoms and Health (MsFLASH) with English speaking symptomatic peri/postmenopausal women in Australia, recruited through social media (Facebook groups), a registry of previous trial participants, and through Menopause clinics. Content analysis was used to analyze findings. Of 33 women who completed screening questions, 25 provided contact details and consented to being interviewed. Women were aged 40-69 years, most reported menopause between 50 and 59 years, and 18 experienced moderate-severe VMS. Participants considered daily reporting of VMS acceptable, preferred diaries reporting VMS in real-time or twice daily (rather than once daily) and found descriptions for severity categories helpful in assigning severity of their VMS. Two diaries (Guttuso and MsFLASH) were found to be acceptable and valid measures of VMS severity and frequency. However, adding descriptions for severity categories to the MsFLASH diary and distinguishing between day and night-time VMS in the Guttuso diary were recommended improvements. Real-time data collection may be preferable.

Abstract Introduction Recruiting participants for sexual medicine research presents unique challenges due to stigma, privacy concerns, and the need for targeted outreach to niche populations. Social media platforms can serve as a tool to reach geographically dispersed and diverse communities. Objective Examine the use of social media in participant recruitment and assess trends, strategies, and platform efficacy in published literature. Methods A keyword search was conducted on all peer-reviewed articles published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine from 2015-2025 using terms including “social media,” “social media recruitment”, “Facebook,” “Instagram,” “Twitter,” “Reddit,” “Snapchat,” “WhatsApp,” “TikTok,” and “Snapchat.” Of the 208 articles screened, studies were included if social media platforms were utilized to recruit participants. For eligible studies, recorded data included year of publication, number of participants, research topic, platform utilization, and countries from which participants were recruited. Results A total of 42 studies published between 2015 and 2025 used social medial platforms to recruit participants. Social media enables large-scale recruitment with studies reporting an average of 2,285 participants from 25 different countries represented. Of these, 43% included participants from the USA and/or Canada only. Most studies (67%) were published after 2021, indicating a recent surge in the use of social media for recruitment. Facebook was the most utilized platform, appearing in 83.3% of studies, followed by Twitter (21.4%), Instagram (19.0%), Reddit (16.7%), WhatsApp (11.9%), and WeChat (7.1%). (FIGURE 1) Remaining platforms (4.8%) included Amazon Mechanical Turk, Zhihu, and Weibo. Nearly half of the studies (47.6%) leveraged two or more social media platforms concurrently. Recruitment strategies varied by topic: studies on menopause, female orgasm, and body image leveraged Facebook groups, while those exploring sexual behavior or psychogenic issues more frequently used Reddit or Instagram to reach younger or anonymous audiences. Conclusions Social media has potential to enhance participant recruitment in sexual medicine research, particularly among diverse and often difficult to reach, or stigmatized populations. While Facebook remains widely used, the integration of globally accessible and culturally relevant platforms like WhatsApp and WeChat illustrates the opportunity to reach international audiences. The increasing usage of Instagram highlights the evolving trends in the use of social media platforms for recruitment. Future research studies should consider the benefits of social media to advance equity and inclusivity in sexual medicine research. Disclosure No

ABSTRACT Backlash against climate policy is rare, but it is growing as policies become more present in everyday life, and resistance is becoming more confrontational. In the UK, this includes property destruction, non-compliance and death threats to public officials. This article explores the role of social media groups in the intensifying backlash through qualitative content analysis of posts in two of the UK’s largest public Facebook groups opposing low-emissions transport schemes promoted as essential for reaching net zero and tackling the climate crisis. Social media is now widely recognized as a key channel for contrarian claims, but diffusion models often still assume one-way flow from elites to the public, overlooking how claims also spread across social media groups via sharing, amplification and users generating evidence to fit frames supplied by organized denial. Although a direct link to offline activity cannot be drawn, the article shows how these groups help legitimize and motivate hostile behavior by glorifying saboteurs as heroes and discrediting policy proponents through dehumanizing language. Misinformation matters, though less by fueling opposition than by muddying policy debate and preventing policies from being judged on their merits. The findings offer insight into the changing nature of climate obstruction, with implications for climate engagement and misinformation response.

Objective: To compare self-reported functioning, disability, and health care-seeking behavior of previously healthy and unhealthy participants after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Design: Cross-sectional design conducted in 2021–2022. Subjects/Patients: Participants 18 years or older were asked to participate in an anonymous survey after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection (at least 28 days passed). Methods: The survey was conducted using an Internet-based questionnaire distributed through Lithuanian websites, including Facebook groups, city/town/district hospitals, and media outlets. Results: The final cohort consisted of 1945 participants, almost 90% being women with higher education and approximately 89% working at the time of survey. The mean age was 43 years. Among them, 53% reported to be healthy before SARS-CoV-2 infection and 5% were hospitalized during acute infection. Individuals with chronic diseases prior to infection rated their health status significantly lower but reported similar functional capacity before infection. After infection, they reported more restricted activities and more often sought health care due to remaining symptoms. In total, 16% of the cohort applied for rehabilitation services and only 7% were accepted, more often those with chronic diseases before infection. Conclusions: Results indicate a small proportion of participants receiving rehabilitation services, more often these with prior chronic diseases. The results increase awareness of rehabilitation needs after infection, particularly for previously unhealthy people.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore whether higher educational institutes' e-learning programs on Facebook groups enhance Students' intention to use (IU) E-learning Programs or not by identifying influential determinants. By drawing on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), and Student Engagement (SE) theory, this study assessed the role of SE in e-learners’ IU on Facebook perspectives. Methodology: This research applies quantitative research methodology using non-probability purposive sampling of a total of 211 higher secondary to post-graduate students in higher educational institutes, private and public universities in Bangladesh who are familiar and associated with e-learning programs of Facebook groups. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and mediation analysis as the data analysis method have been implemented by applying Co-Variance Structural Equation Modeling (CB-SEM). Findings: The result reveals that perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU) from TAM, and social influence (SI) from the UTAUT model significantly affecting students' intention to use (IU) Facebook groups, with the strong effect of mediation of students' engagement (SE), except for the insignificant impact of hedonic motivation (HE). Practical Implications: Following the studies' implications and future recommendations, educators and e-learning providers should make Facebook groups more effective and enjoyable by integrating engagement with educational usage. Originality/Value: The originality of this study is in extending the four separate theories and models in enhancing students' future use of Facebook groups for e-learning programs, with the engagement level as a mediator in 'Meta.' Limitations: The present study employs a non-probability sampling method without the consideration of cross-cultural concerns and socio-demographic factors, focusing on other social media. Drawing on these issues, future academics should approach PLS-SEM, LISREL, and workable moderating variables.

"Nobody listened to us for years": Parents' experiences of provider communication in the diagnostic odyssey.

BackgroundAn increasing number of people living with dementia and their care partners are turning to social media platforms to seek advice, access information, share personal stories, and connect with others for support. This engagement often involves the disclosure of a dementia diagnosis or identification as a care partner, a practice that carries both potential risks and benefits. Social media use has been shown to influence mental and physical health, foster community connections, and influence patient‐caregiver dynamics. However, significant concerns remain regarding the potential risk of exposure to misinformation and stigma as a result of self‐disclosure. The current project aims to explore the underlying motivations and potential impact of self‐disclosure on social media.MethodWe performed a content and thematic analysis of public social media posts obtained from Facebook and Reddit. A total of 22,101 posts related to self‐disclosure were retrieved from 36 Facebook groups and pages over a six‐month period. Of these, a sample of 1,621 posts were selected for final coding and thematic analysis. Additionally, a total of 1,032 posts were collected from Reddit, with a final sample of 779 posts retained after applying exclusion criteria. To gain deeper insights into exchanges surrounding dementia care, comments and replies to 153 Facebook posts and 187 Reddit posts were also analyzed.ResultPreliminary findings indicate advice‐ and information‐seeking as the predominant motivations for self‐disclosure, with users frequently requesting personal experiences and insights into the complex symptomology. A response analysis revealed that the majority of Facebook users either provided information, including advice, or related to the original poster's circumstances. Initial thematic analysis identified key themes, including complex and iterative grief, challenges associated with end‐of‐life decisions, and the compounding nature of functional decline.ConclusionThe insights uncovered in this work will guide the development of an evidence‐based resource to support decision‐making around social media use in dementia.

Using social media to increase participation in Universal Free School Meal programs: An RCT with parents of elementary-aged children.

Abstract Objective This cross-sectional study aimed to explore and compare Danish and Italian migraine patients’ awareness, attitudes, ethical concerns and willingness to participate in human migraine provocation studies. Methods An online survey has been distributed via migraine-focused Facebook groups in Denmark and Italy. The questionnaire addressed demographic data, knowledge about migraine provocation models, perceived benefits and concerns, willingness to participate, ethical considerations and preferences for alternative research methods. Results Awareness of migraine provocation models was moderate among Danish respondents (28%) and very low among Italian respondents (2%, p < 0.001). Despite limited familiarity, respondents from both countries recognized potential benefits, such as improved understanding of migraine mechanisms and development of new treatments. Primary concerns included the risk of severe induced attacks, inadequate pain relief and uncertainty about long-term effects. Willingness to participate was conditional on guaranteed pain management. Significant cross-country differences were observed in trust in researchers (higher in Denmark, p < 0.001) and in preferences for research methods (Italians more often prioritizing non-provocative alternatives, p < 0.001), whereas ethical acceptability did not differ significantly ( p = 0.29). Conclusions Awareness and acceptance of migraine provocation studies differ between Danish and Italian migraine patients, reflecting cultural and ethical nuances. Enhancing patient education and ethical rigor could potentially improve participation and trust, advancing migraine research effectively.

This article examines the naming conventions present in the social media discourse surrounding autism in Poland. The study examined 150 names extracted from Facebook, focusing on their structure and semantic features. It mainly concentrated on motivational elements, evaluative and axiological functions as well as toponymic data represented in the researched social media names. The results show that the categories of support, therapy and treatment, exchange of information et al. are the most frequently profiled motivations behind the creation of groups. With reference to place names, statistical analysis shows that approximately 25% of names include elements indicating geographical location of national or local scale. These findings suggest that not only physical but also digital spaces use names to express identities and denote locations but primarily they constitute markers of social values, needs and motivations prevalent in the autism social-media discourse in Poland.

This qualitative study examines domestic violence, divorce, and resistance among Palestinian Arab women in Israel, analyzing 30 narratives from the Facebook group Sabaya al-Kheir . Findings reveal how silence, blame, and community complicity perpetuate abuse, reinforced by legal, institutional, and economic barriers. Divorce often brings ostracism and heightened vulnerability, yet women demonstrate agency through coping strategies and struggles for dignity. Framed within intersectional and postcolonial feminism, the study situates domestic violence within patriarchal family structures and systemic state discrimination, producing “dual marginalization.” It concludes with policy recommendations while highlighting women’s resilience and contributions to debates on gender, violence, and minority rights.