Image-Sharing Via Social Media: Reflections from an Ethnically- and Age-Diverse Sample of People Living with HIV in the Midwest

Abstract

Social media is increasingly being used to support people living with HIV (PLWH). Existing research has not examined the use of images on social media. This study explored the benefits and challenges of using visual social media to support health among ethnically/racially diverse middle-aged adults with HIV in a major midwestern city. This qualitative study utilized posters created from a parent photovoice project to explore participants’ (N = 15) use of social media, interest in viewing posters via social media, and interest in creating their own photo stories for social media. Benefits for social media use included connecting with other PLWH, education, and sharing empowering messages. Challenges were limited technical ability, dislike of/inappropriate use of social media, and concerns for anonymity. Our findings suggest that PLWH want to see photo stories of others living with HIV and that the benefit of viewers creating and sharing their own stories on social media is worth exploring.

Keywords:

• health disparity
• HIV
• photovoice
• visual social media