Implications of a Psychodynamic Discourse Analysis Study of Aggression in the Online Body Positive Community

Abstract

This study places online aggression within the larger context of human development research. Existing literature identifies a need for a nuanced approach to the study of online aggression that considers potentially adaptive functions. Psychodynamic ego defense theory provides a framework through which to analyze aggressive online discourse. The study provides insight into the complex psychological function of aggressive online interaction. Results fall primarily within the neurotic and immature categories of defense and include a significant number of adaptive or mature comments. The method created for this study, Online Psychodynamic Discourse Analysis, offers a useful addition to existing methods of online research. Thematic analysis provides insight into the psychosocial sources of conflict.