People who undergo ostomy surgery are often worried about being stigmatized. Ostomates explain that they appreciate contact with others who can relate to their experiences and are concerned with where to get advice and support about their ostomies. Internet communities are one outlet to challenge stigma and find support, and the web site Uncover Ostomy is one such community. The web site is the work of Jessica Grossman, a college student who challenges ostomy stigma through provocative photos. Through the associated Facebook fan page, users upload their own photos uncovering their ostomies. This project examined uploaded photos to see how people challenge stigma using new media technology. Additionally, the project examined comments left by Facebook users to understand how the ostomy community reacted to these photos. Implications of such spaces for users to challenge a stigmatizing condition are discussed.
AakhusMRumseyE (2010) Crafting supportive communication online: a communication design analysis of conflict in an online support group. Journal of Applied Communication Research38(1): 65–84.
2.
BeckerKL (2013) Cyberhugs: creating a voice for chronic pain sufferers through technology. CyberPsychology, Behavior & Social Networking16(2): 123–126.
3.
Camilleri-BrennanJSteeleRJC (1998) Quality of life after treatment for rectal cancer. British Journal of Surgery85(8): 1036–1043.
4.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2013) Harnessing Twitter, partnerships and the power of influence to stop stigma and spread awareness. Available at: https://cdc.confex.com/cdc/nphic13/webprogram/Paper33874.html (accessed 4 June 2014).
5.
CreswellJW (2013) Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing among Five Approaches. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE.
6.
CrockerJMajorB (1989) Social stigma and self-esteem: the self-protective properties of stigma. Psychological Review96(4): 608–630.
7.
CutronaCERussellDW (1990) Type of social support and specific stress: toward a theory of optimal matching. In: SarasonBRSarasonIGPierceGR (eds) Social Support: An Interactional View. New York: Wiley, pp. 319–366.
8.
DaviesJ (2007) Display, identity and the everyday: self-presentation through online image sharing. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education28(4): 549–564.
9.
De RooyECTonerBBMaunderRG. (2001) Concerns of patients with inflammatory bowel disease: results from a clinical population. American Journal of Gastroenterology96(6): 1816–1821.
10.
EichhornKC (2008) Soliciting and providing social support over the Internet: an investigation of online eating disorder support groups. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication14(1): 67–78.
11.
Erwin-TothP (1999) The effect of ostomy surgery between the ages of 6 and 12 years on psychosocial development during childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. Journal of Wound, Ostomy, & Continence Nursing26: 77–85.
HeijndersMVan Der MeijS (2006) The fight against stigma: an overview of stigma-reduction strategies and interventions. Psychology, Health & Medicine11(3): 353–363.
18.
KeuschGTWilentzJKleinmanA (2006) Stigma and global health: developing a research agenda. Lancet367: 525–527.
19.
KimbroughAMGuadagnoREMuscanellNL. (2013) Gender differences in mediated communication: women connect more than do men. Computers in Human Behavior29: 896–900.
20.
KooJHLeongRWL (2010) Sex differences in epidemiological, clinical and pathological characteristics of colorectal cancer. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology25(1): 33–42.
21.
LasénAGómez-CruzE (2009) Digital photography and picture sharing: redefining the public/private divide. Knowledge, Technology & Policy22(3): 205–215.
MerolliMGrayKMartin-SanchezF (2013) Health outcomes and related effects of using social media in chronic disease management: a literature review and analysis of affordances. Journal of Biomedical Informatics46(6): 957–969.
25.
MoPKHCoulsonNS (2008) Exploring the communication of social support within virtual communities: a content analysis of messages posted to an online HIV/AIDS support group. CyberPsychology and Behavior11(3): 1–4.
26.
NicholasDBSwanSRGerstleTJ. (2008) Struggles, strengths, and strategies: an ethnographic study exploring the experiences of adolescents living with an ostomy. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes6: 114.
27.
PennebakerJW (1997) Writing about emotional experiences as a therapeutic process. Psychological Science8(3): 162–166.
28.
PerssonEWilde LarssonB (2005) Quality of care after ostomy surgery: a perspective study of patients. Ostomy Wound Management51: 40–48.
SahayTBGrayREFitchM (2000) A qualitative study of patient perspectives on colorectal cancer. Cancer Practice8(1): 38–44.
31.
SavardJWoodgateR (2009) Young peoples’ experience of living with ulcerative colitis and an ostomy. Gastroenterology Nursing32(1): 33–41.
32.
ShawBRHawkinsRMcTavishF. (2006) Effects of insightful disclosure within computer mediated support groups on women with breast cancer. Health Communication19(2): 133–142.
33.
ShimMCappellaJNHanJY (2011) How does insightful and emotional disclosure bring potential health benefits? Study based on online support groups for women with breast cancer. Journal of Communication61(3): 432–454.
34.
SmithDMLoewensteinGRozinP. (2007) Sensitivity to disgust, stigma, and adjustment to life with a colostomy. Journal of Research in Personality41(4): 787–803.
35.
SprangersMAGTaalBGAaronsonNK. (1995) Quality of life in colorectal cancer. Diseases of the Colon & Rectum38(4): 361–369.
36.
SulerJ (2008) Image, word, action: interpersonal dynamics in a photo-sharing community. CyberPsychology & Behavior11(5): 555–560.
37.
TaftTHBallouSKeeferL (2013) A preliminary evaluation of internalized stigma and stigma resistance in inflammatory bowel disease. Journal of Health Psychology18(4): 451–460.
38.
TaftTHKeeferLLeonhardC. (2009) Impact of perceived stigma on inflammatory bowel disease patient outcomes. Inflammatory Bowel Disease15(8): 1224–1232.
Van BrakelWH (2006) Measuring health-related stigma—a literature review. Psychology, Health & Medicine11(3): 307–334.
42.
Van HouseNA (2011) Personal photography, digital technologies and the uses of the visual. Visual Studies26(2): 125–134.
43.
WrightKBRainsSA (2013) Weak-tie support network preference, health-related stigma, and health outcomes in computer-mediated support groups. Journal of Applied Communication Research41(3): 309–324.
44.
WrightKBJohnsonAJBernardDR. (2011) Computer-mediated social support: promises and pitfalls for individuals coping with health concerns. In: ThompsonTLParrottRNussbaumJF (eds) The Routledge Handbook of Health Communication. New York: Routledge, pp. 349–362.
