Youth, health and social networks: Instagram as a research tool for health communication

Authors

  • Natàlia Carceller-Maicas Medical Anthropology Research Center of the Rovira i Virgili University (Tarragona, Spain).

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7203/metode.6.6555

Keywords:

youth, emotional distress, methodological innovations, self-management of health, Instagram

Abstract

Communication is key in the field of health, and the digital age did nothing but increase its importance. Today, the Internet and the new mass media have become basic communication tools, which in the case of young people, are sometimes essential. Most youngsters in the Western world have a latest generation mobile phone, which they use to communicate, access social networks and share their experiences instantly with their friends. Including communication tools such as Instagram in youth health fieldwork poses a number of challenges, but also has the potential for social health research, allowing us to reach young people and enrich research ethnographically.

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Author Biography

Natàlia Carceller-Maicas, Medical Anthropology Research Center of the Rovira i Virgili University (Tarragona, Spain).

Medical anthropologist and member of the Medical Anthropology Research Centre at the Rovira i Virgili University (Tarragona, Spain), where she is currently performing research for her PhD. She is an expert on youth, emotions and drugs and is the author of several scientific and technical texts on youth, adolescence, emotions, drugs, mental health and participatory research-action.  

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Published

2016-04-15

How to Cite

Carceller-Maicas, N. (2016). Youth, health and social networks: Instagram as a research tool for health communication. Metode Science Studies Journal, (6), 227–233. https://doi.org/10.7203/metode.6.6555
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Issue

Science grid: The public understanding of science (2016)

Section

Communicating health. Medical outreach efforts in the media

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