With the development of free and easy-to-use software programs, blogging has helped turn Web consumers into Web content providers. Blogging provides distinctive insight into comprehending e-consumer behavior explicitly with respect to social networking and information searching behaviors while facilitating a state of flow. The objectives of this study are to identify determinant dimensions of blogging motivations and flow, and to investigate the hypothesized relationships of the motivational blogging behavior. Analyzing data (n = 432) from a southwestern university, results reveal the critical dimensions of motivations, behaviors, and flow in blogging. Upon extending Hoffman and Novak's (1996) flow model, 14 out of 26 hypotheses were confirmed regarding the significant impacts of blogging motivations and flow on blogging behaviors. The findings revealed that the desire for information, enjoyment, and loyalty are the primary drivers for experiential blogging behavior. Specifically, information-seeking is the decisive motivation to urge experiential and e-shopping behavior concurrently. This study shows that indulgence and telepresence in flow might play pivotal mediating roles to promote the goal-oriented e-shopping behavior resulting enjoyment and loyalty-seeking motivations.

This dissertation is a critical discourse analysis of how anti-Islamic rhetoric in prominent online forums is articulated within the context of popular discourses of multiculturalism and tolerance. According to Melanie McAlister, perceptions of Muslims within the United States are unique in comparison to other minority groups in that they are almost entirely mediated, whether it is the Iranian Revolution of 1979, the terrorist attacks of September 11th, or the various Muhammad cartoon controversies. While much work has been done analyzing how Islam and Muslims are mediated in popular film and television, very little attention has been given to how these perspectives are mediated through the Internet. Using Erving Goffman's theory of performativity and Kristine Fitch's notion of persuadables, I examine how both prominent bloggers and pseudonymous commentators work in a "back stage" context to bring Islamophobic norms and premises within the sphere of acceptable opinions for the "front stage" of mainstream media discourses. In particular, I examine how these discourses have evolved over the past few years on three prominent weblogs: the anti-jihadist Little Green Footballs, the liberal-atheist advocacy blog One Good Move, and the popular news aggregate Fark. In light of increasing evidence that weblogs exert a high level of influence over popular media discourses disproportionate to their readership, these websites offer a glimpse "back stage" into how contemporary American discourses on Islam and Muslims are articulated across a broad array of political perspectives, particularly in relation to norms and premises regarding multiculturalism, tolerance, and freedom of expression. While Islamophobic rhetoric has become firmly embedded within discourses of the American Right, each of the three sites examined show a steady integration of anti-Islamic perspectives within the American Left. Leftist anti-Islamic discourses are frequently articulated within the context of general anti-religious sentiment, misanthropy, and a belief that the values of "the Islamic world" are inherently incompatible with the liberal, democratic, and multicultural values of "the West." While by no means universal, these perspectives have become sufficiently common, recognizable, and sensible to be granted the status of persuadables within these particular web forums, which in turn helps to move them into the realm of popular American cultural persuadables.

Bakgrund: Depression är en av de vanligaste psykiska sjukdomarna idag och att det är i lika grad stigmatiserat. Stigma kan kopplas till okunnighet om psykisk ohälsa. Detta gör det nästintill omöjligt för individer som lider av psykisk ohälsa, såsom depression, att kunna vara en del av samhället och yttra sina känslor utan att motta negativitet relaterat till sin sjukdom. Som ett tillägg till detta är individerna i fråga oftast ensamma, dvs de föredrar isolering än sällskapet av de som stigmatiserar dem. Detta i sin tur ger upphov till känslor av oro och hopplöshet, hämmad återhämtning och även vägran att söka hjälp och behandling. Syfte: Syftet är att undersöka hur upplevelser av stigmatisering kommer till uttryck i blogginlägg bland unga vuxna med depression. Metod: En kvalitativ metod med hjälp av textanalys utfördes. Åtta blogginlägg sammanlagt användes för att komma fram till ett resultat. Blogginlägg granskades efter relevans av vårt syfte och studie. Resultat: Tre teman uppkom under studiens gång. Dessa är: ”Rädslan att prata om sin diagnos”, ”Depression är ett skämt” och ”Stigma från professionella”. Konklusion: Individer som upplever stigmatisering från samhället som en följd av sin psykiska sjukdom upplever ovilja till återhämtning, känslor av förtvivlan, värdelöshet och illamående som kan leda till isolering och minskade möjligheter i samhället. / Background: Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses today and it is equally stigmatized. Stigma can be linked to ignorance of mental illness. This makes it almost  impossible for individuals suffering from mental illness, such as depression, to be a part of society and express their feelings without receiving negativity related to their illness. In addition to this, the individuals in question are usually alone, i.e. they prefer isolation rather than the company of those who stigmatize them. This in turn gives rise to feelings of anxiety and hopelessness, inhibited recovery and even refusal to seek help and treatment. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate how the experiences of stigmatization is expressed in blog posts among young adults with depression. Method: A qualitative study using text analysis was used. A total of eight blog posts were analysed to get the results. Blog posts were reviewed after the relevance for our purpose and study. Result: Three themes arose during the study. These are: "The fear of talking about their diagnosis", "Depression is a joke" and "Stigma from professionals". Conclusion: Individuals who experience stigmatization from society as a result of their mental illness experience reluctance to recovery, feelings of despair, worthlessness and malice that can lead to isolation and diminished opportunities in society.

Bakgrund: Varje år drabbas cirka 200 personer av sjukdomen amyotrofisk lateralskleros (ALS). Sjukdomen är progressiv med aggressiva och allvarliga symtom vilket resulterar i en generell överlevnadstid på upp till fem år. Den behandling som ges är symtomlindrande och palliativt syfte då sjukdomen saknar botemedel. Sjukdomen medför ett stort lidande där personens autonomi och integritet drabbas på grund av det stora behovet av stödjande assistans som krävs. Syfte: Att undersöka upplevelsen av att leva med ALS. Metod: En empirisk studie där en narrativ analysmetod använts för att granska och analysera sex bloggar. Resultatet: Bloggarnas analys resulterade i tre kategorier: Fruktan för framtiden, att inte kunna klara sig själv och stunder av livskvalitet som delades in i sju underkategorier. Konklusion: I analysen uppenbarades det att sjukdomen resulterade till ett stort lidande samt känslor av ångest och oro. Trots detta kunde en livsgnista bildas med hjälp av faktorer såsom individens nära och kära samt vård- och omsorgens resursstöd. Sjuksköterskans centrala funktion är omvårdnaden till patienter. När en person drabbas av en livshotande sjukdom som ALS måste sjuksköterskan kunna bemöta de känslor och behov av stöd som blir aktuella för att möjliggöra ett välbefinnande. / Background: Every year, about 200 people suffer from the disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The disease is progressive with aggressive and severe symptoms which results in an overall survival time of up to five years. The treatment given is symptom-relieving and palliative as the disease lacks a cure. The disease causes great suffering where the person’s autonomy and integrity are affected due to the great need for supportive assistance that is required. Aim: To investigate the experience of living with ALS. Method: An empirical study where the method of analyzing narratives was used to review and analyze six blogs. Result: The bloggers’ analysis resulted in three categories: Fear of the future, not being able to manage on their own and moments of quality of life that were divided into seven subcategories. Conclusion: The analysis revealed that the disease resulted in great suffering as well as feelings of anxiety and worry. Despite this, a spark of life could be formed with the help of factors such as the individual’s loved ones and the support of healthcare resources. The nurse’s central function is to care for its patients. When a person suffers from a life-threatening disease such as ALS, the nurse must be able to respond to the feelings and needs for support that become relevant in order to enable well-being.

The purpose of this article is make connections between two content areas, reading and writing, which have traditionally been separated and consider the relationship between their theoretical underpinnings. Based on their reciprocal nature, the authors posit that students could greatly benefit by reading and writing being taught simultaneously. Relying on this premise, this article provides the reader with three practical strategies that could be applied in the literacy classroom to intertwine reading and writing. These practical strategies include: classroom blogs, graphic depictions, and pen pal responses to literature.

Bakgrund: Många kvinnor är förberedda på en vaginal förlossning men få är införstådda med risken att drabbas av en förlossningsskada. Enligt en utredning från Socialstyrelsen (2020) drabbades 10,7 procent av kvinnor som födde barn första gången av allvarliga förlossningsskador med hjälp av sugklocka eller tång. Komplikationer kan vara övergående men även bestående för resten av livet och skapa ett lidande. Många kvinnor söker sig till öppenvården och kan behöva hjälp att öppna upp sig. Sjuksköterskan kan bli ett viktigt stöd för kvinnor med förlossningsskador. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie var att beskriva kvinnors upplevelse av att drabbas av en förlossningsskada. Metod: Den metod som använts till studien är en kvalitativ induktiv ansats baserat på åtta bloggar som analyserats genom en manifest innehållsanalys. Resultat: Genom analys framkom fyra kategorier som beskriver kvinnors upplevelse av att drabbas av en förlossningsskada. Fysisk påfrestning av en förlossningsskada, psykisk påfrestning av en förlossningsskada, kampen om rättvis vård och framtidstro. Slutsats: Trots förändrad tillvaro och ökat lidande fanns inre styrka och hopp om framtiden. Resultatet kan bidra till en ökad förståelse för sjuksköterskor kring förlossningsskador. Det är betydelsefullt att denna patientgrupp tas på allvar, får gehör och inte blir ifrågasatta av vården. / Background: Many women are prepared for a vaginal birth but few understand the risk of suffering a birth injury. According to an investigation by the National Board of Health and Welfare (2020), 10.7 percent of women who gave birth for the first time suffered serious birth defects with the help of a suction cup or forceps. Complications can be transient but also lasting for the rest of life and create long lasting  suffering. Many women seek out patient care and may need help to open up. The nurse can be an important support for women with birth defects.The aim of this study was to describe women's experience of suffering from a birth injury. Method: The method used for the study is a qualitative inductive approach based on eight blogs analyzed through a manifest content analysis. Results: Through analysis, four categories emerged that describe women's experience of suffering from a birth injury. Physical strain of a birth injury, mental strain of a birth injury, the struggle for fair care and faith in the future. Conclusion: Despite changed lives and increased suffering, there was inner strength and hope for the future for the women inolved. The result can contribute to an increased understanding for nurses about birth defects. It is vital that this patient group is taken seriously, heard and is not questioned by the care.

Bakgrund: Den psykiska ohälsan i samhället ökar. Omkring 10-15 % av alla kvinnor blir deprimerade i samband med graviditeten. Det finns idag en bristande kunskap kring förlossningsdepression både hos vårdpersonal och samhället i stort. För att kunna bemöta dessa kvinnor på bästa sätt är det därför viktigt att ha kunskap om deras upplevelser av hur det är att drabbas av en förlossningsdepression. Syfte: Att belysa kvinnors upplevelser av att drabbas av en förlossningsdepression. Metod: Kvalitativ innehållsanalys med induktiv ansats. Elva bloggar har valts ut och analyserats. Resultat: Analysen resulterade i tre kategorier: Utmaningar i samband med graviditeten och det inledande moderskapet, Upplevelser av misslyckande och Stödets betydelse på vägen mot tillfrisknande. Dessa beskrivs i nio underkategorier. Konklusion: Kvinnor upplever känslor som misslyckande och skam relaterat till okunskap och stigma som finns kring förlossningsdepression. Professionellt stöd och stöd från närstående har visat sig vara en central del i tillfrisknandet. Utbildning och kunskap om förlossningsdepression är viktigt för att kunna arbeta personcentrerat och individanpassat utifrån kvinnans behov. / Background: Mental illness in society is increasing. About 10-15 % of all women become depressed during pregnancy. There is a lack of knowledge about postpartum depression among healthcare professionals and in society. In order to be able to treat these women in the best way, it is important to have knowledge of women's experiences of what it’s like to suffer from postpartum depression. Purpose: To illuminate women's experiences of suffering from postpartum depression. Method: Qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach. Eleven blogs have been selected and analyzed. Results: The analysis resulted in three main categories: Challenges during pregnancy and the initial maternity, The experiences of failure and The importance of support on the way to recovery. These are described in nine subcategories. Conclusion: Women experienced feelings of failure and shame related to ignorance and stigma that exists around postpartum depression. Professional support and support from relatives has proven to be a central part of recovery. Education and knowledge about postpartum depression are important to be able to work personcentered and individualized based on the women's needs.

More than half a billion people use Online Social Network Sites (OSNS) today. They disclose personally identifiable information such as names, date of birth, email address, phone numbers, and home address on their profiles. Some OSNS users also disclose their political and religious views and personal interests. The huge commercial potential of OSNS users’ information and the integration of OSNS with third party advertisers and/or aggregators pose threats to users’ privacy. This thesis reports a study which contributes to our understanding of the form and nature of online privacy by critically analysing the privacy concerns related with the failed launch of Facebook’s advertising tool Beacon. Beacon is an interesting case study because it highlighted the privacy concerns of OSNS users. Qualitative data was gathered from 29 weblogs (blogs) representing user opinions (492 comments) published between 6th November 2007(when Beacon was launched) and 28th February 2008 (when commentary had dwindled). A thematic analysis of the blogs contributed in the development of a taxonomy of privacy concerns of OSNS users specifically related with the third party information use. Noticeably, the concerns such as commercialism, terms of service (TOS), lack of user control, lack of user awareness and data protection influence user perceptions of online privacy. The limitations and key implications for designers and service providers of OSNS are also discussed.

Bakgrund: Multipel skleros (MS) är den vanligaste demyeliniserande sjukdomen att drabba centrala nervsystemet. Sjukdomens symtom och förlopp är individuella och varje person kräver olika former av behandling och stöd för att uppleva hälsa och välbefinnande.Det finns en potential att den rådande Covid-19 pandemin drabbar personer med MS hårdare och de olika behandlingarna för MS kan göra en Covid-19-infektion mer komplicerad.                             Syfte: Studiens syfte var att beskriva upplevelsen av att leva med Multipel skleros.              Metod: Kvalitativ ansats med analys av narrativer användes för att fånga de individuella upplevelserna. Berättelserna som analyserades var i form av blogginlägg skrivna av fem personer som lever med MS. Resultat: Analysen resulterade i tre huvudteman och elva underteman. De huvudsakliga fynden behandlade känslor av sorg och ovisshet såväl som oförståelse från omgivningen. Behovet av stöd belyses och upplevelsen av hälsa samt erfarenheter av Covid-19 pandemin beskrivs. Konklusion: MS påverkar och begränsar livet på sätt som kan vara svårt för utomstående att förstå. Känslor av sorg och ovisshet blandas med tacksamhet över en ny syn på livet. Den vårdande relationen är av vikt och ger patienten möjlighet att uttrycka begär, behov och problem så att stöd kan anpassas. Trots oro har Covid-19 pandemin hanterats väl. / Background: Multiple Sclerosis is the most common demyelinating disease to affect the nervous system. The symptoms and course of the disease are individual and each person requires different forms of treatment and support to experience health and well-being.There is a potential that the current Covid-19 pandemic will affect people with MS more and the different treatments for MS can make a Covid-19 infection more complicated. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the experience of living with Multiple Sclerosis. Method: A Qualitative approach with an analysis of narratives was used to capture the individual experiences. The stories that were analyzed were in the form of blogposts written by five people living with MS.  Results: The analysis resulted in three mainthemes and eleven sub-themes. The main findings concerned feelings of sadness, uncertainty as well as being misunderstood by people in their surroundings. The need for support was highlighted and the experiences of health as well as experiences of the Covid-19 pandemic are described. Conclusion: MS affects and limits life in ways that can bedifficult for outsiders to understand. Feelings of sadness and uncertainty are mixed with gratitude for a new outlook on life. The caring relationship is important and gives the patient the opportunity to express desires, needs and problems so that support can be adjusted. The Covid-19 pandemic has been handled well, despite concerns.

Using personal narrative, interviews, and research, this thesis project looks at how the middle-class American home has been transformed, by people like me, into a modem-day public square.