"just like therapy!": Investigating the Potential of Storytelling in Online Postpartum Depression Communities

TL;DR

This study explores how storytelling in online postpartum depression communities can enhance emotional support and information sharing, offering design recommendations based on mixed-methods research.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the role of storytelling in online PPD support groups and offers practical design guidelines to improve emotional and informational support.

Findings

Mothers gain social support through storytelling in online groups.

Storytelling fosters emotional connection and support among mothers.

Design recommendations enhance storytelling's effectiveness in PPD communities.

Abstract

One in seven women encounter postpartum depression upon transitioning to motherhood. Many of them frequently seek social support in online support groups. We conducted a mixed-methods formative research to assess the potential of digital storytelling on those online platforms. We observed that mothers acquire social support from online groups through storytelling. We present design recommendations for online postpartum depression (PPD) communities to utilize storytelling in fostering emotional support and providing relevant information and education through storytelling.