Death in the age of eternity: How Facebook users cope with personal loss

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2016-01-01
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Meyer, Eric
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Jan L. Boyles
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Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication
The Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication offers two majors: Advertising (instructing students in applied communication for work in business or industry), and Journalism and Mass Communication (instructing students in various aspects of news and information organizing, writing, editing, and presentation on various topics and in various platforms). The Department of Agricultural Journalism was formed in 1905 in the Division of Agriculture. In 1925 its name was changed to the Department of Technical Journalism. In 1969 its name changed to the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications; from 1969 to 1989 the department was directed by all four colleges, and in 1989 was placed under the direction of the College of Sciences and Humanities (later College of Liberal Arts and Sciences). In 1998 its name was changed to the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication.
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Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication
Abstract

This study explores the relatively new phenomenon of Facebook users creating memorial content in order to grieve. Using a survey with 230 undergraduate and graduate respondents, the study examines the factors that influence the creation of memorial content on Facebook. Users who post more and actively create content that is not related to mourning are more likely to create memorial content. For a majority of Facebook users, the site is a supportive and nurturing place. providing a social space for the grieving to interact with each other. Most users do not post memorial content, but those who do create memorial content found it helpful in the mourning process. Overall, the research indicates that while mourning on Facebook is viewed as a positive and helpful experience for individuals dealing with the loss of a friend, it does not take the place of being with loved ones when somebody close to them passes on.

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Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 UTC 2016