Social Media Mourning: Using Grounded Theory to Explore How People Grieve on Social Networking Sites

Jensen Moore, Sara Magee, Ellada Gamreklidze, Jennifer Kowalewski

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

38 Scopus citations

Abstract

This article uses grounded theory methodology to analyze in-depth interviews conducted with mourners who used social networking sites during bereavement. The social media mourning (SMM) model outlines how social networking sites are used to grieve using one or more of the following: (a) one-way communication, (b) two-way communication, and (c) immortality communication. The model indicates causal conditions of SMM: (a) sharing information with family or friends and (sometimes) beginning a dialog, (b) discussing death with others mourning, (c) discussing death with a broader mourning community, and (d) commemorating and continuing connection to the deceased. The article includes actions and consequences associated with SMM and suggests several ways in which SMM changes or influences the bereavement process.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)231-259
Number of pages29
JournalOmega: Journal of Death and Dying
Volume79
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2019

Keywords

  • after-death communication
  • communication
  • grief
  • immortality
  • mourning
  • social media

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