CANCER ON TIKTOK–EVALUATING POSITIVE CULTURE AND ONLINE SELF-DISCLOSURE USING DIRECTED CONTENT ANALYSIS AND IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS

The presented paper characterizes TikTok practices of users with cancer and uses notions social media as positive culture (presenting oneself without undesirable traits) online self-disclosure understood providing intimate, private information about oneself. research continues the work on women breast using Instagram. However, this previous revolved around posts, thus was limited. current study asks following questions: 1) are videos disclosing in manner Instagram shows? 2) What creators’ motivations what meanings do they give to how position themselves considering culture? categories from combines qualitative directed content analysis (DCA; 862 analyzed) in-depth interviews (n=8), these go beyond DCA a more nuanced understanding users’ lived experience. Similar Instagram, is tool for negative (e.g., fears, anxiety, pain) joyful life events, self-acceptance, self-affirmation) prevalence educational (e.g. prevention, debunking stereotypes normalizing disease). respondents feel especially competent educate others because their experiences. undermines traditional self-disclosure, seeking support not that important, compared informing warning others. Also, debunks too-general category, interviewees constitute particular niche seem care perceived while cancer.