Adapting to motherhood: Online participation in WeChat groups to support first-time mothers
This study investigates how first-time mothers participate in online discussions in WeChat groups to support their adaptation to motherhood. Online ethnography and in-depth interviews are employed to examine the psychological and behavioural aspects of these first-time mothers within WeChat groups,...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
2023-11-01
|
| Series: | Revista Teknokultura |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://revistas.ucm.es/index.php/TEKN/article/view/86912 |
| _version_ | 1797633337260507136 |
|---|---|
| author | Runxi Zeng Hua Zhou Richard Evans |
| author_facet | Runxi Zeng Hua Zhou Richard Evans |
| author_sort | Runxi Zeng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
This study investigates how first-time mothers participate in online discussions in WeChat groups to support their adaptation to motherhood. Online ethnography and in-depth interviews are employed to examine the psychological and behavioural aspects of these first-time mothers within WeChat groups, as well as the group construction process. The study’s findings show that WeChat groups, formed around common identity, have integrated new media technology into the cultural practices of distinct social groups. Within these groups, first-time mothers establish unique information exchange networks with other first-time mothers, enabling the sharing of experiences, emotions, and resources, ultimately creating de facto identity communities. Moreover, WeChat groups serve as vital channels for acquiring and distributing social capital, expanding parenting resources and social networks. The study highlights the crucial role of WeChat groups in providing support to first-time mothers as they navigate motherhood while fostering a sense of camaraderie and belonging within this virtual community.
|
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T11:52:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-48b0aff4554340299ff4a28f67819980 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1549-2230 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T11:52:41Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | Universidad Complutense de Madrid |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Revista Teknokultura |
| spelling | doaj.art-48b0aff4554340299ff4a28f678199802023-11-08T22:11:53ZengUniversidad Complutense de MadridRevista Teknokultura1549-22302023-11-0120Special Issue10.5209/tekn.86912Adapting to motherhood: Online participation in WeChat groups to support first-time mothersRunxi Zeng0Hua Zhou1Richard Evans2Chongqing UniversityChongqing University Dalhousie University This study investigates how first-time mothers participate in online discussions in WeChat groups to support their adaptation to motherhood. Online ethnography and in-depth interviews are employed to examine the psychological and behavioural aspects of these first-time mothers within WeChat groups, as well as the group construction process. The study’s findings show that WeChat groups, formed around common identity, have integrated new media technology into the cultural practices of distinct social groups. Within these groups, first-time mothers establish unique information exchange networks with other first-time mothers, enabling the sharing of experiences, emotions, and resources, ultimately creating de facto identity communities. Moreover, WeChat groups serve as vital channels for acquiring and distributing social capital, expanding parenting resources and social networks. The study highlights the crucial role of WeChat groups in providing support to first-time mothers as they navigate motherhood while fostering a sense of camaraderie and belonging within this virtual community. https://revistas.ucm.es/index.php/TEKN/article/view/86912common identityonline ethnographysocial capitalsocial integration |
| spellingShingle | Runxi Zeng Hua Zhou Richard Evans Adapting to motherhood: Online participation in WeChat groups to support first-time mothers Revista Teknokultura common identity online ethnography social capital social integration |
| title | Adapting to motherhood: Online participation in WeChat groups to support first-time mothers |
| title_full | Adapting to motherhood: Online participation in WeChat groups to support first-time mothers |
| title_fullStr | Adapting to motherhood: Online participation in WeChat groups to support first-time mothers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Adapting to motherhood: Online participation in WeChat groups to support first-time mothers |
| title_short | Adapting to motherhood: Online participation in WeChat groups to support first-time mothers |
| title_sort | adapting to motherhood online participation in wechat groups to support first time mothers |
| topic | common identity online ethnography social capital social integration |
| url | https://revistas.ucm.es/index.php/TEKN/article/view/86912 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT runxizeng adaptingtomotherhoodonlineparticipationinwechatgroupstosupportfirsttimemothers AT huazhou adaptingtomotherhoodonlineparticipationinwechatgroupstosupportfirsttimemothers AT richardevans adaptingtomotherhoodonlineparticipationinwechatgroupstosupportfirsttimemothers |