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BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

Communication of support and critique in Swedish virtual community threads about prenatal diagnoses of fetal anomalies

Authors: Tommy Carlsson, Mats Landqvist, Elisabet Mattsson

Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

A prenatal diagnosis of a fetal anomaly involves acute grief and psychological distress. The Internet has the potential to provide virtual support following the diagnosis. The overall aim was to explore communication of support and critique in Swedish virtual community threads about prenatal diagnoses of fetal anomalies.

Methods

Systematic searches in Google resulted in 117 eligible threads. Fifteen of these were purposefully selected and subjected to deductive content analysis.

Results

The virtual support involved mainly emotional support (meaning units n = 1,992/3,688, 54 %) and was described as comforting and empowering. Posters with experience of a prenatal diagnosis appreciated the virtual support, including the opportunity to gain insight into other cases and to write about one’s own experience. Critique of the decision to continue or terminate the pregnancy occurred, primarily against termination of pregnancy. However, it was met with defense.

Conclusions

Peer support, mainly emotional, is provided and highly appreciated in threads about prenatal diagnoses of a fetal anomaly. Critique of the decision to terminate the pregnancy occurs in virtual community threads about prenatal diagnoses, but the norm is to not question the decision. Future studies need to investigate if virtual peer support promotes psychosocial function following a prenatal diagnosis and what medium would be most suitable for these types of supportive structures.
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Metadata
Title
Communication of support and critique in Swedish virtual community threads about prenatal diagnoses of fetal anomalies
Authors
Tommy Carlsson
Mats Landqvist
Elisabet Mattsson
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2393
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-016-0989-6

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