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The Influence of Social Media on the Perception of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Content Analysis of Public Discourse on YouTube Videos

Author

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  • Schwab Bakombo

    (Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada)

  • Paulette Ewalefo

    (Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada)

  • Anne T. M. Konkle

    (Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
    School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
    Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa Brain, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9, Canada)

Abstract

Background: Little is known about how social media shapes the public’s perception of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We used a media content analysis approach to analyze the public’s perception of ASD. Methods: We conducted a YouTube search in 2019 using keywords related to ASD. The first 10 videos displayed after each search that met the eligibility criteria were selected for analysis. The final sample size of videos analyzed was 50. The top 10 comments from each respective video were selected for commentary analysis. A total of 500 comments were used for this study. Videos and comments were categorized based on sentiment, evident themes, and subthemes. In 2022, using the same key words, we conducted a subsequent YouTube search using the same criteria, except that the videos had to be 10 min or less, whereby nine videos were selected out of 70 for commentary analysis, and a total of 180 comments were used. Results: The dominant themes were “providing educational information on ASD characteristics” with the main subtheme being “no specific age or sex focus”. The most common category of comments was “anecdote”. The overwhelming sentiments of both the videos and comments were “mixed”. Individuals with ASD were stigmatized as not being able to understand emotion. Furthermore, ASD was also stigmatized as being a monolithic condition only manifesting itself in the most severe form when autism varies in severity. Interpretation: YouTube is a powerful tool that allows people and organizations to raise awareness about ASD by providing a more dynamic view on autism and fostering an environment for public empathy and support.

Suggested Citation

  • Schwab Bakombo & Paulette Ewalefo & Anne T. M. Konkle, 2023. "The Influence of Social Media on the Perception of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Content Analysis of Public Discourse on YouTube Videos," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:3246-:d:1066460
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Osama Harfoushi & Dana Hasan & Ruba Obiedat, 2018. "Sentiment Analysis Algorithms through Azure Machine Learning: Analysis and Comparison," Modern Applied Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 12(7), pages 1-49, July.
    2. Joey Talbot & Valérie Charron & Anne TM Konkle, 2021. "Feeling the Void: Lack of Support for Isolation and Sleep Difficulties in Pregnant Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic Revealed by Twitter Data Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-12, January.
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