The Prospect of Support Scrolling: A Content Analysis on Type 1 Diabetes Advocacy, Technology, and Support on Social Media

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is marked by a deficiency in insulin secretion caused by an autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, individuals typically follow a complex regimen of carbohydrate counting, checking blood glucose levels regularly, and calculating insulin doses daily. As such, it is imperative for these individuals to feel connected to and cared for by those around them. Therefore, the use of social media as a vehicle to connect individuals with T1D to interact with and support one another is groundbreaking. The main purpose of the proposed study is to investigate the potential positive aspects of social media for a community of individuals with T1D, such as the ability for these platforms to equalize access to current diabetes healthcare knowledge, including technology advances, so that people with T1D who experience support online are better able to advocate for their healthcare needs. The study uses archival data previously collected as part of a parent study (Type 1 Diabetes on Social Media: A thematic analysis of publicly posted content across social media platforms). Due to the amount of data collected, the technology and advocacy primary codes will undergo further qualitative examination through a secondary content analysis. The study aims to inform on the many layers of the T1D healthcare advocacy ecosystem as well as the potential role of social media networking in building self-management skills for those with chronic conditions, like T1D.