Dying Online: An Analysis of End-of-Life Narratives.

This study utilized publicly available online narratives (vlog postings) written by individuals diagnosed with a terminal illness to explore themes on what dying individuals wished to say about their experiences (n = 39). While the content of the messages varied, universally all postings provided advice for living a good life. The implications of these narratives are still unknown. Questions remain about the role online peer support plays in the dying process and the extent to which sharing one's digital story can affect others online. The act of being introspective at the end of life and the desire for social connection is similar to other forms of social work intervention such as dignity therapy suggesting an opportunity for further exploration. Additionally, these end-of-life narratives could also serve as a tool for educating future social work professionals about the experiences of those diagnosed with a terminal illness. PMID: 32009573 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care - Category: Palliative Care Tags: J Soc Work End Life Palliat Care Source Type: research