‘The words are stuck inside me; I write to heal’: Memory, recall, and repetition in PTSD blogs

Ramanathan, V.

doi:10.1558/cam.22049

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Although it is well known that treatment-seeking can be discouraged, inhibited, and barriered for highly trauma exposed populations, especially first responders, there are few examinations of trauma narration conducted outside of formal treatment. Of the studies that exist, a small number have examined the online media content (i.e., YouTube videos, blogs, forums, or threads) of individuals recovering from trauma, including victims of sexual assault or rape (Fawcett & Shrestha, 2016; Levy & Eckhaus, 2020; Moors & Webber, 2013), burn survivors (Badger et al, 2011); women with traumatic birth experiences (Blainey & Slade, 2015); and persons who experienced multiple traumas or were diagnosed with PTSD (Cohn et al, 2004; Ramanathan, 2015; Salzmann-Erikson & Hiçdurmaz, 2017). Generally, these studies focused on the logistics of the narratives, such as the structure and format of narration and online interactions, and the content, such as that writers share information about their reasons for writing their stories, their symptomology, how their symptoms restrict their daily lives, and how they cope.…”

Section: Ptsd and Informal Treatment-seekingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Breaking the silence: A qualitative analysis of trauma narratives submitted online by first responders.

Casas¹,

Benuto²

2022

Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy

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Objective: Trauma narration is important to PTSD recovery and is widely used in clinical interventions. First responders experience high rates of exposure to trauma yet there are no studies with a primarily first responder population despite that trauma exposure is a chronic and unavoidable aspect of their occupation. The aim of the current study was to qualitatively examine trauma narratives posted online through a supportive website dedicated for first responders. Method: 30 trauma narratives of police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel were randomly chosen for inclusion in the study. While some narrative posters remained somewhat anonymous, overall, there was moderate diversity in terms of age, sex, job field, number of years on the job, and the locations of the employer. Results: Online narration offered a less formalized opportunity for self-disclosure that allowed for authenticity, honesty, and vulnerability. Thematic analyses revealed 5 themes: idealization with the job, disillusionment with the job, on the job trauma, trauma sequalae, and coping with trauma. Conclusion: Findings suggest that first responders are exposed to trauma on the job that significantly alters their work and home lives. Although they experience psychopathology, and could benefit from formal treatment, their decision to seek treatment is impacted by stigma in the culture. Implications and future directions are discussed regarding the need to improve perceived connectedness and support and reduce stigma in online platforms and within the subculture to encourage healing. Clinical Impact StatementThis study suggests that first responders are exposed to chronic and cumulative trauma on the job that violates preemployment idealization with the profession and leads to disillusionment with their role and self-efficacy. It appears that some first responders reach out anonymously to support websites to share details of their trauma and receive support because this is perceived as somewhat safer and more acceptable than reaching out to familiar peers due to subcultural stigmata.

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Section: Ptsd and Informal Treatment-seekingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Breaking the silence: A qualitative analysis of trauma narratives submitted online by first responders.

Casas¹,

Benuto²

2022

Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy

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“…Consistent with the literature [ 27 , 28 , 39 ], those who have fewer memory slips had better mental health, such as fewer anxiety and depressive symptoms and a greater sense of self-assurance. In addition, given that the studies on memory slips primarily involved older adults [ 27 , 28 , 29 ] and clinical samples adults with PTSD [ 26 ] from the Western context, the present study adds to the literature by revealing the links between blogging, memory functions, and mental health among emerging adults from Hong Kong.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Aside from social support, bloggers were able to utilize their blogs as memory aids that allowed them to avoid experiencing reality disorientations [ 26 ]. By recollecting specific experiences and recognizing its benefits, blogging frequency was associated with fewer memory slips through the greater blogging-related benefits, needs, and traits.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous research indicated that writing helped patients in an intensive care unit to fill in the memory gaps while they were in the hospital, thereby reducing their memory slips. Blogging also allows people to re-experience sensory events, which enables them to have a better understanding of the type of information being stored in their memory [ 26 ]. Blogs also serve as a physical memory aid for people, as it can be accessible from any location with an Internet connection.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Do Bloggers Have Better Mental Health? The Social, Cognitive, and Psychological Benefits of Blogging in Emerging Adulthood

Tekniker

Cheung

2023

IJERPH

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Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the longitudinal processes by which blogging-related disclosure is linked to mental health. It was hypothesized that blogging had both social and cognitive benefits, including greater perceived social support and fewer memory slips, which were then associated with better mental health. Methods: A total of 194 emerging adults were recruited three times at approximately three months apart. Participants filled out a self-report about their blogging activities and perceived benefits, social support, memory, and mental health at each time point. Results: Path analysis indicated that perceived blogging-related benefits, needs, and traits mediated the relation between frequency of blogging and social support and memory slips, respectively. Moreover, social support marginally predicted greater mental health, whereas memory slips predicted poorer mental health, after controlling for baseline mental health, age, and gender. Conclusions: This study established the longitudinal associations between blogging and its benefits that may be vital for emerging adults’ mental health.

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Reclaiming illness, pain and vulnerability through online writings: an analysis of Skin Stories

Satija¹

2022

Feminist Media Studies

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‘The words are stuck inside me; I write to heal’: Memory, recall, and repetition in PTSD blogs

Abstract: TitleThe words are stuck inside me; I write to heal: Memory, recall, and repetition in PTSD blogs

Cited by 4 publications

References 24 publications

Breaking the silence: A qualitative analysis of trauma narratives submitted online by first responders.

Breaking the silence: A qualitative analysis of trauma narratives submitted online by first responders.

Do Bloggers Have Better Mental Health? The Social, Cognitive, and Psychological Benefits of Blogging in Emerging Adulthood

Reclaiming illness, pain and vulnerability through online writings: an analysis of Skin Stories

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