The (O)nline (N)egativity Study

Research exploring the daily online experiences of LGBTQ+ young people
Two people sitting down, out of focus, with one hand holding a mobile phone in focus. 
The ON study logo
The (O)nline (N)egativity Study explored LGBTQ+ young peoples’ daily experiences online, particularly the negativity and discrimination regularly encountered.
Over 1,804 LGBTQ+ youth, aged 14-24, responded to the survey, coming from Canada, the US, and the UK. The survey consisted of closed-choice, short answer, and open-ended questions and incorporated the use of digital vignette scenarios to explore how online micro-aggressions impact psychological, emotional, physical, and social well-being.
The research will be used to better understand what is happening to LGBTQ+ youth online, and to help develop support for those struggling with the hostility they experience.
This project is part of an international collaboration between the University of Plymouth, The Ohio State University (PI: Dr Lauren McInroy), and the University of Toronto. For more information, please contact Dr Oliver Beer .

Related publications

McInroy LB & Beer OWJ 2021 'Adapting vignettes for internet-based research: eliciting realistic responses to the digital milieu' International Journal of Social Research Methodology 25, (3) 335-347
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13645579.2021.1901440
McInroy, L. B., Beer, O. W. J., Zapcic, I. (2021). Digital vignettes: Innovative data collection in online survey research. Society for Social Work Research. Virtual Conference. January 19-22.
McInroy, L. B., Beer, O. W. J., Scheadler, T., Craig, S., & Eaton, A. (2022). Psychophysiological Impacts of Online Prejudice and Digital Microaggressions for LGBTQ+ Youth. Society for Social Work and Research. Denver, CO. January 12-16.
McInroy, L. B., Beer, O. W. J., Zapcic, I., Craig, S. L., & Eaton, A. (2022). The O(nline) N(egativity) Study: Sexual and gender minority youth experiences with digital microaggressions. Society of Social Work & Research 25th Annual Conference, Denver, CO. January 12-16.
McInroy LB, Beer OWJ, Scheadler TR, Craig SL & Eaton AD 2023 'Exploring the psychological and physiological impacts of digital microaggressions and hostile online climates on LGBTQ + youth' Current Psychology
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-023-04435-1
 

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