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Digital Solidarity: A Multi‐Analytical Investigation of Discourse, Emotions, and Support in an Online Community Focused on Bullying Trauma

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Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology

Published online on

Abstract

["Journal of Community &Applied Social Psychology, Volume 36, Issue 4, July/August 2026. ", "\nABSTRACT\nBullying‐induced trauma can cause severe, debilitating effects, eroding one's self‐esteem and ability to successfully perform in various societal functions. While clinical resources exist, additional informal channels can serve as invaluable reserves for support, community, and solidarity needed as individuals repair and recover from traumatic events. Online forums such as Reddit have emerged as conduits for varied interactions, expanding possibilities for support and care through extended community and shared experiential parity. To understand how such online informal enclaves mediate interactions on trauma disclosure, we explore the subreddit r/bullying through a mixed‐methods analysis that includes content analysis, computational text mining, and emotional classification. The insights gleaned are relevant to understanding implicit norms, community support mechanisms, and values that emerge from trauma‐induced information sharing. We also discuss emergent considerations regarding the engagement and mediation of automated agents in cyberspace for trauma disclosure and support, along with associated ethical considerations for design and practice. Taken together, the results and implications are significant for design, regulatory, and moderation practices in open online forums to provide extended care and support, empowering individuals experiencing trauma and championing openness, transparency, empathy, and solidarity.\n"]