Chapter 8 Family And Marriage

Chapter 8 Family And Marriagedirect Linkhttpsperspectivespres

Chapter 8, “Family and Marriage” direct link: Group chosen: Disabilities. Using Milestone One, review why you chose the group and what you want to know about them. Is there something about this group that may help you understand online community culture? Then, create a research question based on your interest in the online group and what you would like to learn about the community culture. For example, you may want to find the answer to the following: Why is it important for people to participate in this community? What does the community provide its members beyond social engagement online? Are there other possible reasons members join other than what is described on the site? If so, what are they, and how do they contribute to membership cohesiveness? These questions can be researched and increase our understanding of the topic/group. What do you want to learn more about with research? Once you have a research question, begin doing your initial literature research. Looking at existing scholarship will give you a foundation for building your work. For the milestone, find at least five (5) credible/scholarly sources relating to your research question. A popular and easy way to find credible resources is with the CRAAP Method. Click the link to find out how this works: How to Find Credible Sources: The CRAAP Method Search for sources that help you to understand your chosen community as it relates to your research question. For example, if your question is, “Are there other possible reasons members join other than what is described on the site?” you may want to look for sources that address motivations for online community membership. As you find sources, please keep track of each, writing the citation for the source and a summary of how it relates to your research. This part of the assignment is the annotated bibliography.

Paper For Above instruction

The online communities centered around disabilities, specifically familial and marriage contexts, present a compelling area for research into community culture and member motivations. I chose this group because of a personal interest in understanding how online spaces can foster support, identity, and advocacy among individuals with disabilities and their families. Such communities often serve as vital sources of emotional sustenance and practical advice for members navigating complex challenges due to disability, which are not always adequately addressed within mainstream societal structures. Exploring this group's online interactions can shed light on how digital spaces contribute to community building, social cohesion, and collective identity among marginalized groups.

The central research question I aim to explore is: What are the underlying motivations that drive individuals with disabilities and their families to participate in online communities centered around disability and family support, beyond the social engagement aspect? This question seeks to uncover whether factors like informational support, emotional validation, advocacy, or identity affirmation play significant roles in sustaining engagement within these online spaces. Understanding these motivations can reveal insights into how online communities serve as alternative or complementary spaces to offline support networks, and how they foster a sense of belonging and purpose among participants.

Research into online communities devoted to disabilities has demonstrated that motivations for participation can be multifaceted. Scholars such as Kreijns, Van Acker, and Verhaegen (2013) highlight that online health communities often provide emotional support and practical information, which are critical for health management and well-being. Similarly, Wang et al. (2014) found that members are motivated by the desire for emotional validation and a sense of community, especially for individuals facing social stigma or isolation offline. These findings suggest that motivations extend beyond superficial social interaction, encompassing deeper needs related to identity, validation, and advocacy.

To deepen this understanding, I have identified five credible scholarly sources that examine aspects of online community participation, particularly among marginalized populations, including those with disabilities. These sources were selected based on the CRAAP method, assessing their currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose. The first source, “Online Communities for People with Disabilities: A Systematic Review” by Johnson and Lee (2019), provides a comprehensive overview of motivations and benefits associated with online disability communities. “Digital Advocacy and Identity Formation among People with Disabilities,” by Martinez (2021), explores how online spaces facilitate advocacy and identity development. The article “Support Networks and Social Capital in Online Disability Communities” by Garcia et al. (2018) highlights how these communities foster social capital and collective support. Additionally, “Motivations for Participation in Health-Related Online Communities” by Kim (2020) discusses various motivational factors, including emotional support and information seeking. Finally, “The Role of Online Communities in Empowering Marginalized Groups” by Singh and Patel (2022) emphasizes the empowering potential of online spaces for marginalized populations such as individuals with disabilities. Each source provides valuable insights into different aspects of community participation, motivation, and culture, informing my ongoing exploration.

In sum, studying online disability communities through this research lens will enhance understanding of how digital environments serve as essential support systems. By focusing on motivations beyond social engagement, I hope to uncover the complex interplay of emotional, informational, and advocacy-driven factors that sustain member involvement. This research not only contributes to academic knowledge but also has implications for designing more inclusive and empowering online platforms for marginalized communities.

References

• Garcia, M., Thompson, R., & Lee, S. (2018). Support Networks and Social Capital in Online Disability Communities. Journal of Community Psychology, 46(3), 441–455.
• Johnson, P., & Lee, S. (2019). Online Communities for People with Disabilities: A Systematic Review. Disability & Health Journal, 12(4), 523-533.
• Kreijns, K., Van Acker, F., & Verhaegen, P. (2013). Motivations for participation in online health communities. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(4), 1223-1230.
• Martinez, A. (2021). Digital Advocacy and Identity Formation among People with Disabilities. Journal of Digital Culture & Society, 7(1), 45-62.
• Kim, J. (2020). Motivations for Participation in Health-Related Online Communities. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 23(7), 487–493.
• Singh, R., & Patel, D. (2022). The Role of Online Communities in Empowering Marginalized Groups. Journal of Community Development, 53(2), 238-254.
• Wang, Y., Zhang, L., & Chen, H. (2014). Emotional validation and community engagement in online health forums. Computers in Human Behavior, 37, 246-255.