Voices of Depression : An Analysis of a Collective Narrative

• In this chapter the articulations of mental distress among young people are analysed. The main part of the material for the study was collected from the comments section of an autobiographical YouTube video about depression. Additional material emanated from comments on and references to other YouTube videos and media. The material was analysed using a content analytic method and the result was interpreted using a discourse theoretical framework. In line with this discursive approach, a constructive perspective on illness was emphasised in the analysis and interpretation. The study showed how the video is part of a YouTube genre of videos produced by young people that addresses depression and other types of mental distress. The study shows how collective and supportive groups can evolve in internet milieus, like the analysed comments sections. Important features that were needed for creation of the analysed group were a communal autobiographical storytelling about mental distress in general and depression specifically. Through these stories a narrative evolved that articulated the illness and the subjects’ suffering from it. The characterisation of the latter could be summed up in the themes of isolation, concealment and self-destruction. They often apprehended themselves as mistreated and neglected, and their suffering was sometimes described as predetermined. This articulation also relied on the constitution of an outside world inhabited by grown-ups, parents and professionals that did not understand and deprived them of help. The outcome of the study indicated a reinforcing aspect of these communities: communicating with their peers shows individuals that they are not alone. At the same time, dwelling on the problem can create an atmosphere that reinforces social deviancy and possible destructive behaviours.

Ämnesord

HUMANIORA  -- Annan humaniora (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- Other Humanities (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Mental distress

depression

content analysis

discourse analysis

storytelling

pathography

YouTube

Visuell kultur

Visual Culture

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

kap (ämneskategori)