The Anxiety-Related Themes of Young Adults found via Online Support Groups

Year 2023, , 101 - 123, 31.01.2023

Yasemin Hosgören , Zulal Törenli Kaya , Gamze Özçürümez

https://doi.org/10.31682/ayna.1137129

Abstract

Young adulthood is a sensitive developmental period in terms of mental problems and young adults usually seek advice and need peer support during challenging periods. Due to the ease of virtual communication and widespread use of internet-enabled mobile devices, they might particularly prefer online support groups for their psychosocial support needs. This study aimed to examine the experiences of young adults between the ages of 18-30 via online support groups and understand the psychosocial factors associated with their anxiety symptoms. For this aim, 15 sessions of the “anxiety” -themed psychosocial support groups that took approximately 90-minute were conducted on the “YEVEZE” application. The written data were analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings revealed that the factors that cause anxiety in young adults are clustered under the superordinate theme of the helpless core belief consistent with the cognitive model. Under this theme (i) the factors stemming from the parents, (ii) difficulty in social relations, and (iii) perfectionist goals/concerns for the future were found as the subordinate themes. The qualitative design of the study allowed us a broader perspective
of themes that are associated with anxiety among young adults. The results are notable for the diagnosis and preventive interventions. 

Keywords

Young adulthood, anxiety, online support groups, thematic analysis

Genç Erişkinlerle Yapılan Çevrim İçi Destek Gruplarında Anksiyete Kaynaklarına Yönelik Temalar

Abstract

Genç erişkinlik dönemi, gençlerin ruhsal sorunları açısından oldukça hassas olduğu, sorunlarını paylaşmaya, öneri almaya ve akran desteğine ihtiyaç duyduğu zorlayıcı bir süreçtir. Sanal dünyada iletişim kurmanın kolay olması ve internet özellikli mobil cihazların yaygınlaşması gençlerin psikososyal destek ihtiyacının çevrim içi destek grupları aracılığıyla karşılamasına olanak sağlamaktadır. Mevcut çalışmada, 18-30 yaş arasındaki genç erişkinlerin çevrim içi gruplarındaki etkileşimlerinin ve onlar için kaygı yaratan psikososyal faktörlerin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaçla, psikiyatri polikliniğine kaygı şikâyeti ile başvuran 50 genç erişkin, kaygı yaşantılarını anonim olarak konuşmak üzere “YEVEZE” isimli uygulamaya davet edilmiştir. Uygulama üzerinden ortalama 90 dakika süren, “kaygı” temalı toplam 15 çevrim içi oturum yürütülmüştür. 42 kişinin dahil olduğu gruplardan elde edilen yazılı verilerin analizinde tematik analiz yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Analiz sonucunda, genç erişkinlerde kaygı yaratan etkenlerin bilişsel modelin çaresizlik temel inancı üst teması altında toplandığı gösterilmiştir. Bu temanın altında (i) ebeveynlerden kaynaklanan etkenler, (ii) sosyal ilişkilerde güçlük ve (iii) mükemmeliyetçi hedefler alt temalarının bulunduğu dikkati çekmiştir. Çalışmanın nitel tasarımı, genç erişkinlerde kaygıya neden temaların daha geniş bir bakış açısıyla incelenmesine olanak sağlamıştır. Sonuçlar tanı ve önleyici müdahaleler açısından önem taşımaktadır.

Keywords

Genç erişkinlik, anksiyete, çevrim içi destek grupları, tematik analiz

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