As part of a communication studies research project, three sub-studies over three years will systematically investigate how
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termination of pregnancy/abortion,
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the first time and
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menstruation
are represented in social media.
The study is based on systematic media content analysis of posts on leading social media platforms (mainly YouTube, TikTok and Instagram). Public comments on the corresponding posts are also evaluated. The quantitative media content analysis is complemented by qualitative interviews with adolescents and young adults on the use and subjective impact of social media posts and comments on the three topics of abortion, the first time and menstruation.
Relevance of the research project
Termination of pregnancy, first sexual intercourse and menstruation are important topics of sexual and reproductive health that are widely presented and discussed in social media. However, German-language posts and public comments on publications on these topics have not yet been systematically scientifically analysed. The EMSA study thus fills a research gap in the field of online health communication.
The study's findings are also relevant for sexuality education and advice services, because only by understanding how abortion, sexual debut and menstruation are presented and discussed on social media today can we reach young people at the level of knowledge and reflection where they currently are.
Website of the TU Ilmenau on the EMSA project: https://www.tu-ilmenau.de/en/university/departments/department-of-economic-sciences-and-media/profile/institutes-and-groups/media-psychology-and-media-design-group/research/emsa
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