IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i19p10539-d651592.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Dementia in Media Coverage: A Comparative Analysis of Two Online Newspapers across Time

Author

Listed:
  • Atiqur sm-Rahman

    (Division Ageing and Social Change, Department of Culture and Society, Linköping University, S-60174 Norrköping, Sweden)

  • Chih Hung Lo

    (Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA)

  • Yasmin Jahan

    (Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 739-8527, Japan)

Abstract

The news media, specifically online newspapers, is one of the powerful transmitters of discourse due to its rapid accessibility that contributes to social beliefs and attitudes that often shape our perceptions on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The media portrayal of dementia is largely heterogeneous, but there is certainly an association between the influence of online news coverage and the social perceptions of dementia that need to be understood more broadly. In this study, we examined the portrayal of dementia in two online newspapers ( The New York Times and The Guardian ) that might have an influence on dementia discourse by comparing the content and form of the news coverage on dementia across time. This study was guided by three interconnected theoretical understandings: cultivation theory, agenda-setting theory, and spiral of silence theory . A total of 291 published articles featuring dementia from 2014 to 2019 were included in this study and a content analysis of the articles provided insight into the dementia-related news coverage. Our results showed that both newspapers have a decreasing trend in publishing articles related to dementia over time. In addition, dementia-related (modifiable) risk factors as principal news content was significantly associated with the year of publication. Despite a weak association between story categories and newspapers, the majority of articles reported preventive measures as the main story category. Although both newspapers featured more articles with a less negative tone across time when reporting on dementia, derogative wording, as discourse, was commonly used to address the illness. We have provided some insight into understanding how online newspapers potentially affect subjective representations of dementia as well as perpetuate dementia discourse. Finally, we suggest that future study may benefit from establishing a linkage between the depiction of dementia in online newspapers and the contextualization of dementia within cultures.

Suggested Citation

  • Atiqur sm-Rahman & Chih Hung Lo & Yasmin Jahan, 2021. "Dementia in Media Coverage: A Comparative Analysis of Two Online Newspapers across Time," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-19, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:19:p:10539-:d:651592
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/19/10539/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/19/10539/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Amanda Wilson & Billie Bonevski & Alison Jones & David Henry, 2009. "Media Reporting of Health Interventions: Signs of Improvement, but Major Problems Persist," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 4(3), pages 1-5, March.
    2. Atiqur sm-Rahman & Chih Hung Lo & Azra Ramic & Yasmin Jahan, 2020. "Home-Based Care for People with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) during COVID-19 Pandemic: From Challenges to Solutions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Marilia Assumpção & Solange Alfinito & Breno Giovanni Adaid Castro, 2019. "Newspaper Consumption in Print and Online: Printed Newspapers is Status and Online is Easiness," RAC - Revista de Administração Contemporânea (Journal of Contemporary Administration), ANPAD - Associação Nacional de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa em Administração, vol. 23(1), pages 23-42.
    4. Linda Steele & Kate Swaffer & Lyn Phillipson & Richard Fleming, 2019. "Questioning Segregation of People Living with Dementia in Australia: An International Human Rights Approach to Care Homes," Laws, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-26, August.
    5. Gabriele Cipriani & Gemma Borin, 2015. "Understanding dementia in the sociocultural context: A review," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 61(2), pages 198-204, March.
    6. Pescosolido, Bernice A. & Martin, Jack K. & Lang, Annie & Olafsdottir, Sigrun, 2008. "Rethinking theoretical approaches to stigma: A Framework Integrating Normative Influences on Stigma (FINIS)," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(3), pages 431-440, August.
    7. McGinty, E.E. & Webster, D.W. & Jarlenski, M. & Barry, C.L., 2014. "News media framing of serious mental illness and gun violence in the United States, 1997-2012," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(3), pages 406-413.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Mpho M. Pheko & Rapelang Chilisa & Shyngle K. Balogun & Christina Kgathi, 2013. "Predicting Intentions to Seek Psychological Help Among Botswana University Students," SAGE Open, , vol. 3(3), pages 21582440134, July.
    2. Ida Viktoria Kolte & Lucia Pereira & Aparecida Benites & Islândia Maria Carvalho de Sousa & Paulo Cesar Basta, 2020. "The contribution of stigma to the transmission and treatment of tuberculosis in a hyperendemic indigenous population in Brazil," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(12), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Fadi El-Jardali & Lama Bou Karroum & Lamya Bawab & Ola Kdouh & Farah El-Sayed & Hala Rachidi & Malak Makki, 2015. "Health Reporting in Print Media in Lebanon: Evidence, Quality and Role in Informing Policymaking," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(8), pages 1-19, August.
    4. Lucy, Meghann, 2024. "“Fighting demons”: Stigma and shifting norms in explicit mention of overdose in obituaries, 2010–2019," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 350(C).
    5. Billings, Katie R. & Cort, David A. & Rozario, Tannuja D. & Siegel, Derek P., 2021. "HIV stigma beliefs in context: Country and regional variation in the effects of instrumental stigma beliefs on protective sexual behaviors in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Southern Africa," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).
    6. Ezell, Jerel M. & Walters, Suzan & Friedman, Samuel R. & Bolinski, Rebecca & Jenkins, Wiley D. & Schneider, John & Link, Bruce & Pho, Mai T., 2021. "Stigmatize the use, not the user? Attitudes on opioid use, drug injection, treatment, and overdose prevention in rural communities," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
    7. Keetie Roelen & Caroline Ackley & Paul Boyce & Nicolas Farina & Santiago Ripoll, 2020. "COVID-19 in LMICs: The Need to Place Stigma Front and Centre to Its Response," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 32(5), pages 1592-1612, December.
    8. Miller, Laurie C. & Pinderhughes, Ellen & Pérouse de Montclos, Marie-Odile & Matthews, Jessica & Chomilier, Jacques & Peyre, Janice & Vaugelade, Jacques & Sorge, Frédéric & de Monléon, Jean-Vital & de, 2021. "Feelings and perceptions of French parents of internationally adopted children with special needs (SN): Navigating the triple stigma of foreignness, adoption, and disability," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    9. Joseph W Taylor & Marie Long & Elizabeth Ashley & Alex Denning & Beatrice Gout & Kayleigh Hansen & Thomas Huws & Leifa Jennings & Sinead Quinn & Patrick Sarkies & Alex Wojtowicz & Philip M Newton, 2015. "When Medical News Comes from Press Releases—A Case Study of Pancreatic Cancer and Processed Meat," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(6), pages 1-13, June.
    10. Coreil, Jeannine & Mayard, Gladys & Simpson, Kelly M. & Lauzardo, Michael & Zhu, Yiliang & Weiss, Mitchell, 2010. "Structural forces and the production of TB-related stigma among Haitians in two contexts," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(8), pages 1409-1417, October.
    11. Pinto-Foltz, Melissa D. & Logsdon, M. Cynthia & Myers, John A., 2011. "Feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of a knowledge-contact program to reduce mental illness stigma and improve mental health literacy in adolescents," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 72(12), pages 2011-2019, June.
    12. Timmermans, Stefan & Tietbohl, Caroline, 2018. "Fifty years of sociological leadership at Social Science and Medicine," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 196(C), pages 209-215.
    13. Brewis, Alexandra A. & Hruschka, Daniel J. & Wutich, Amber, 2011. "Vulnerability to fat-stigma in women's everyday relationships," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 73(4), pages 491-497, August.
    14. Joseph S DeLuca & John Vaccaro & Jenna Seda & Philip T Yanos, 2018. "Political attitudes as predictors of the multiple dimensions of mental health stigma," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 64(5), pages 459-469, August.
    15. Mendes, Álvaro & Sousa, Liliana & Sequeiros, Jorge & Clarke, Angus, 2017. "Discredited legacy: Stigma and familial amyloid polyneuropathy in Northwestern Portugal," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 182(C), pages 73-80.
    16. Clair, Matthew & Daniel, Caitlin & Lamont, Michèle, 2016. "Destigmatization and health: Cultural constructions and the long-term reduction of stigma," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 223-232.
    17. Grue, Jan & Johannessen, Lars E.F. & Rasmussen, Erik Fossan, 2015. "Prestige rankings of chronic diseases and disabilities. A survey among professionals in the disability field," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 180-186.
    18. Pullen, Erin & Ekl, Emily A. & Felix, Elizabeth & Turner, Christopher & Perry, Brea L. & Pescosolido, Bernice A., 2022. "Labeling, causal attributions, and social network ties to people with mental illness," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 293(C).
    19. Jansen, Natalie Anne & Saint Onge, Jarron M., 2015. "An internet forum analysis of stigma power perceptions among women seeking fertility treatment in the United States," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 184-189.
    20. Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo & Virginia Mapedzahama, 2015. "Media Event, Racial Ramblings, or Both? An Analysis of Media Coverage of the Tamworth Council Sudanese Refugees Resettlement Case (2006)," SAGE Open, , vol. 5(4), pages 21582440156, December.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:19:p:10539-:d:651592. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.