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“Do All Bisexuals Have This Power?”: An exploratory study of “crippling nicotine addiction,” identity, and other emergent themes in vaping messages on QueerTok
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

“Do All Bisexuals Have This Power?”: An exploratory study of “crippling nicotine addiction,” identity, and other emergent themes in vaping messages on QueerTok

Coltin Ball, Shannon Lea Watkins, Alexis Fahrion, Makayla Morales, Abigail McDonald, Erin A. Vogel and Minji Kim
SSM. Qualitative research in health, Vol.6, 100471
07/2024
DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmqr.2024.100471
PMCID: PMC11759318
PMID: 39867468
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmqr.2024.100471View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Nicotine and tobacco use disproportionally affect sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations in the US. Social media narratives may contribute to these disparities. This qualitative study delineated perceptions and experiences depicted in SGM-related messaging about nicotine vaping on TikTok. Young adult researchers engaged in every step of the research process, adding an insider perspective. Using four TikTok accounts, we used vaping and SGM-related search terms to sample videos in March-April 2022. Three TikTok accounts collected SGM-specific videos; a fourth provided non-SGM specific videos for comparison. We iteratively sorted 303 unique videos into 32 a priori and emergent codes and identified themes in SGM videos and comparison videos. In their videos, creators displayed awareness of and ambivalence toward vaping and nicotine dependence. SGM-related videos reflected vaping as a salient feature of identity and a consideration in romantic partnership. Studying video-based social media platforms, like TikTok, using an insider-engaged qualitative lens promotes rich interpretation of content to identify prevalent and emerging messages, which can inform appropriate interventions for SGM young people.
Adolescent Health Electronic Cigarettes LGBTQ qualitative analysis social media TikTok young adult

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