Improving Online Communities for Stigmatized Healthcare: Countering In-Group Microaggressions and Fostering Supportive Connections

Women face significant challenges in seeking support for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) due to cultural taboos and microaggressions, even within supposedly safe online spaces. This study focuses on unmarried South Korean women who encounter these difficulties and often risk detrimental health outcomes by avoiding timely care. To investigate how to create safer and more supportive spaces for these women, we designed a 9-week study using the Asynchronous Remote Communities method for 26 unmarried Korean women participants. We created structured and unstructured activities to encourage sharing SRH narratives, which led to increased mutual support and understanding among participants. Additionally, we designed educational and reflective interventions that helped participants recognize the nuances and harms of microaggressions. This increased awareness promoted self-reflection and supportive actions among participants. Our approach demonstrates the potential to create supportive, reflective online spaces for people from marginalized communities who face stigmatized healthcare challenges. We hope our research inspires the development of more inclusive online spaces, driving positive social change in stigmatized healthcare support.