Project Social [Fan]Work: Online Fandom Communities and the Identity Development, Social Support, and Resilience of Sexual and/or Gender Minority Youth

Emerging research indicates sexual and/or gender minority youth (SGMY) may actively use internet-enabled information and communication technologies (ICTs) to engage in important developmental tasks and resilience-building activities. There remains a substantial research gap, however, addressing particular online communities and contexts popular amongst the population. Underpinned by an integrated theoretical framework, Project Social [Fan]Work employed samples (n = 4942, n = 3665) drawn from an online mixed methods survey of SGMY (ages 14 – 29) across the United States and Canada to investigate the relationship between participation in online fandom communities and SGMY’s identity development and well-being. This dissertation is comprised of an introduction, three distinct papers, and a conclusion. Paper 1 uses mixed methods to explore the relationship between participation in online fandom communities, coming out, and self-identification – comparing the experiences of fandom participating versus non-fandom participating SGMY. Participating youth were younger, reached identity disclosure (i.e., coming out) milestones earlier and more rapidly, and identified with more complex identity labels. Paper 2 qualitatively investigates the influence of participation in online fandom communities on the identity development activities of SGMY. The overarching thematic framework emphasizes individualized experience based on personal developmental trajectory, as well as needs and preferences. Fandom offered unique opportunities for safe and anonymous identity discovery, exploration, and experimentation – encouraging validation, normalization, authenticity, and self-acceptance. Paper 3 uses mixed methods to examine online fandom communities as a source of social support, as well as the potential of fandom to facilitate resilience and positive adjustment for SGMY. Fandom participation had the potential to increase connectedness, provide opportunities for support and mentorship, facilitate navigation of challenges, and encourage feelings of strength. The first empirical, mixed methods study of SGMY’s experiences in such communities, this dissertation provides a coherent, emerging picture of the impacts of contemporary SGMY’s participation in online fandom. Results emphasize that the online contexts of fandom communities, rather than simply permitting recreational media production and/or consumption, provide crucial opportunities for SGMY to engage in developmental activities, access social support, and foster resilience and positive adjustment. Implications are proposed for multi-level social work practice, and directions for future research are recommended.Ph.D.2020-03-26 00:00:0