Due to copyright issues, an electronic copy of the thesis must be ordered from the faculty. For the faculty to have time to process the order, the order must be received by the faculty at the latest 2 days before the public defence. Orders received later than 2 days before the defence will not be processed. After the public defence, please address any inquiries regarding the thesis to the candidate.
Trial Lecture – time and place
See Trial Lecture.
Adjudication committee
- First opponent: Associate Professor Giacomo Vivanti, Drexel University, Autism Institute, United States
- Second opponent: Senior Lecturer Karri Gillespie-Smith, University of Edinburgh, UK
- Third member and chair of the evaluation committee: Associate Professor Jan Buts, University of Oslo
Chair of the Defence
Professor Jahn Fredrik Frøen, University of Oslo
Principal Supervisor
Professor Anders Nordahl-Hansen, Østfold University College
Summary
Social media platforms have become important arenas for disseminating both information and misinformation about autism. The complex dynamics of online discourses about autism have implications for the well-being and identity of autistic individuals.
The aim of this thesis is to explore and enhance our understanding of how social media influences perceptions of autism.
In article I, sentiment and statistical analysis were used to analyse 1074 viral posts from Twitter (now X) about autism. Two subsets of tweets with content about Greta Thunberg and Asperger’s syndrome were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The study also included data from Google Trends to explore search patterns on autism.
Article II synthesised existing research of misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines spread via social media platforms. The second aim was to investigate whether misinformation about autism in relation to COVID-19 vaccines was spread on social media. Using a rapid review design, 757 articles were screened, and finally 45 articles were included in the study.
Article III explored autistic adults’ use of social media in relation to information about autism and autistic online communities. Twelve autistic Norwegian adults (aged 18-49 years) were interviewed about their use of social media and their views on content about autism. The findings were analysed with the use of reflexive thematic analysis.
Findings across these three studies suggest that social media has the potential to disseminate information about autism to people who might not have access to updated and correct information. Autistic content makers who share their unique insider experience can be highly educational. Such content had in some cases contributed to a more positive autistic identity. Similarly, famous autistic individuals have the potential to spread awareness and interest in autism. The findings suggest that there is a need for more information and representation of autistic adults, autistic women, and autistic people of colour.
The findings also show that some of the discussions about autism on social media platforms are controversial and polarising, and that misinformation about autism creates harm and cyberbullying. Misinformation about autism linked to COVID-19 vaccines, however, was not largely spread during the pandemic.
Being aware of how autism identity and discourse are shaped on social media is essential when working with autism. The findings also highlight the need for cultural, historical, and religious awareness when debunking misinformation, as well as the importance of robust experimental designs to assess the effects of social media misinformation.
This thesis contributes to our understanding and ongoing discussions of how social media shapes public health concerns such as perceptions of autism.
Additional information
Contact the research support staff.