Thematic Content Analysis of Self-Disclosure and Peer Support in Students’ Online Mental Health Forum Posts
Keywords:
self-disclosure, peer support, student mental health, online forums, thematic analysis, anonymityAbstract
Student mental health has become a crucial issue in the digital era, in which anonymous online community forums such as Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) are increasingly used as alternative help-seeking channels. This study aims to analyze in depth the forms of self-disclosure and the types of peer social support in students’ online mental health forum posts. Using a qualitative approach with the Reflexive Thematic Analysis model of Braun and Clarke (2006), the dataset comprised 75 anonymous public posts and comments identified as originating from Reddit and X. The analysis identified three main themes of self-disclosure: (1) expressions of academic pressure and fear of failure, (2) feelings of isolation and identity crisis, and (3) emotional catharsis related to mental health and social stigma. Meanwhile, peer social support was divided into three main themes: (1) emotional and evaluative support (empathy and experience normalization), (2) informational support (coping strategies and navigation of campus services), and (3) directional versus non-directional support. Anonymity was shown to trigger a positive online disinhibition effect, facilitating emotional openness without fear of stigma. The findings provide guidance for the development of digital-based mental health interventions in higher-education settings.
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