“In the beginning, it was little whispers…now, we’re almost a roar”: Conceptualizing a model for community and self in LGBTQ+ health information practices

Vanessa L. Kitzie, Travis L. Wagner, A. Nick Vera

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Although LGBTQ+ populations experience significant health challenges, little research exists that investigates their health from an informational perspective. Our study addresses this gap by exploring the health information practices of LGBTQ+ communities in South Carolina, focusing on how sociocultural context shapes these practices. Thirty semi-structured interviews with South Carolina LGBTQ+ community leaders analyzed using open qualitative coding informed the development of a conceptual framework describing their information practices. Findings show that participants engaged in two broad types of practices – protective and defensive – as responses to risks and barriers experienced, which are in turn produced by social and structural factors. Findings advance information practices and marginalization approaches and offer ways for medical professionals to improve service to LGBTQ+ populations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSustainable Digital Communities - 15th International Conference, iConference 2020, Proceedings
EditorsAnneli Sundqvist, Gerd Berget, Kjell Ivar Skjerdingstad, Jan Nolin
PublisherSpringer
Pages15-31
Number of pages17
ISBN (Print)9783030436865
DOIs
StatePublished - 2020
Externally publishedYes
Event15th International Conference on Sustainable Digital Communities, iConference 2020 - Boras, Sweden
Duration: Mar 23 2020Mar 26 2020

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume12051 LNCS
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Conference

Conference15th International Conference on Sustainable Digital Communities, iConference 2020
Country/TerritorySweden
CityBoras
Period3/23/203/26/20

Keywords

  • Health information
  • Information practices
  • LGBTQ+ communities

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Theoretical Computer Science
  • General Computer Science

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