How People with Physical Disabilities Can Obtain Social Support through Online Videos: A Qualitative Study in China

Background: Online video creation is becoming an option for many people with physical disabilities in China. However, few studies have considered how physically disabled individuals access social support through online video creation. Methods: For this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 online video creators with physical disabilities. The starting point of this study was video creation by people with physical disabilities, with a focus on the social interactions between creators, online video platforms, followers, viewers and sponsors, as well as the perceived social support in the process. Results: Thematic analysis was used to identify six social support themes: (i) meeting emotional needs; (ii) obtaining informational support; (iii) obtaining creative benefits; (iv) constructing identity; (v) reconstructing social relationships; and (vi) discovering self-worth. Four risk-related themes were identified: (i) online language violence; (ii) invasion of commercial capital; (iii) online video addiction; and (iv) fragile social support. Conclusions: The findings indicate that, although people with physical disabilities can obtain effective social support through creating online videos, it is accompanied by many risks. In addition, the social support gained through creating online videos differs from traditional online social support (e.g., changes in online support groups, emphasis on creative gain). Prospect: Future research should perform more detailed analyses of different types of social support and specific risks of creation, while taking into account individual differences and sociodemographic backgrounds.