The communication science project systematically analyses in three sub studies over a period of three years the presentation of sexual health topics in social media such as
- Termination
- The firsts sexual intercourse
- Menstruation
The research is based on systematic media analysis of posts on leading social media platforms (e.g. YouTube, TikTok, Instagram). As part of the quantitative research public comments on the posts studied are also analysed. In addition, qualitative interviews were conducted with adolescents and young adults. The interviews focus on the use of social media and on the subjective impact of posts and public comments dealing with sexual health topics such as termination, the first sexual intercourse and menstruation.
Termination, the first time and menstruation are key topics of sexual and reproductive health that are frequently presented and discussed in social media. However, there is a lack of systematic research on German-language posts and public comments. Therefore, the EMSA Study closes this research gap regarding the online health communication.
The results of the EMSA study are relevant for sexual and reproductive health education and advice. Advising young people is only possible if there is knowledge about social media communication and how young people discuss termination, the first time and menstruation. Advising should pick up young people where they are on these issues.
Project-related publications
Project Description
- Döring, N. (2023). Die „EMSA“-Studie: Erstes Mal, Menstruation und Schwangerschaftsabbruch in Sozialen Medien. FORUM Sexualaufklärung und Familienplanung: Informationsdienst der Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) 1/2023, 93-96. https://doi.org/10.17623/BZgA_SRH:forum_2023-1_beitrag_emsa_studie
- Döring, N.(2023). The EMSA study: Sexual debut, menstruation and pregnancy termination on social media. FORUM sexuality education and family planning: information service of the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA), 1, 85–88. https://doi.org/10.17623/BZgA_SRH:forum_2023-1_en_article_emsa_study
Qualitative Studies on Pregnancy Termination
- 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 it, but your video helped me. Pregnancy termination on YouTube and TikTok]. merz – medien + erziehung. zeitschrift für medienpädagogik, 67(3). https://doi.org/10.21240/merz/2023.3.25
- 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
Quantitative Study and Content Analysis Methodology on Pregnancy Termination
- Döring, N. (2023). Online-Videos zum Schwangerschaftsabbruch: Anbieter, Botschaften und Publikumsreaktionen. FORUM Sexualaufklärung und Familienplanung: Informationsdienst der Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) 1/2023, 41-47. https://doi.org/10.17623/BZgA_SRH:forum_2023-1_beitrag_onlinevideo_schwangerschaftsabbruch
- Döring, N. (2023). Online pregnancy termination videos: Providers, messages and audience reactions. FORUM sexuality education and family planning: information service of the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA), 1, 39–44. https://doi.org/10.17623/BZgA_SRH:forum_2023-1_en_article_online_video_pregnancy_termination
- Döring, N. (2023). Abortion Attitudes (Media Content, User Comments). DOCA – Database of Variables for Content Analysis. https://doi.org/10.34778/5y
Studies on Menstruation
- Döring, N. (2024). Acht Monografien und Sammelbände zur Menstruation [Eight monographs and edited volumes on menstruation]. Zeitschrift für Sexualforschung, eFirst. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2373-4667
- Döring, N., Shevtsova, A., & Schumann-Doermer, C. (2024). Menstruationsgesundheit: Der aktuelle Forschungsstand zu bio-psycho-sozialen Dimensionen der Monatsblutung [Menstrual health: The current state of research on bio-psycho-social dimensions of the period]. Zeitschrift für Sexualforschung, 37(3), 151-166. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2343-4279
See more informations on the website of the Research Group Media Psychology and Media Design at the TU Ilmenau: https://www.tu-ilmenau.de/mpmd/research/emsa