2025: Empowering the Future through Education, Diversity, and Hope

Love Thy Neighbor: A Content Analysis of Nextdoor™ Posts Discussing the Homeless Population in Spokane

Location

Hemmingson Ballroom

Start Date

15-4-2025 11:15 AM

End Date

15-4-2025 12:15 AM

Description

Homelessness, as it is portrayed in American media (e.g. news, social media, films, television) is riddle with misinformation and stereotype application. These stereotypes place individual blame on those experiencing homelessness, claiming that they are drug addicts, violent, and not worthy of help. 61% of Americans have not researched homelessness on their own, meaning they solely depend on media for their information (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2024). Furthermore, research has provided evidence that this culturally dominant messaging impacts Americans’ level of empathy and willingness to support policies of care (e.g., Medicaid, food stamps, shelter services) (Johnson et al., 2009). This project will explore one social networking channel that may promote culturally dominant messaging about those living in homelessness in Spokane. Through a content analysis of the language used in posts and comments on the social media app Nextdoor™ conducted over the last 3 months, this poster will explain what stereotypic themes emerge, the percentage of positive versus negative language used, and the attributions assumed (i.e., individual fault, structural inequities) for the situation of homelessness in Spokane. The project will offer a snapshot of the current, cultural messaging about unhoused individuals in the Spokane community.

Comments

Poster Session A

Publication Date

2025

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Apr 15th, 11:15 AM Apr 15th, 12:15 AM

Love Thy Neighbor: A Content Analysis of Nextdoor™ Posts Discussing the Homeless Population in Spokane

Hemmingson Ballroom

Homelessness, as it is portrayed in American media (e.g. news, social media, films, television) is riddle with misinformation and stereotype application. These stereotypes place individual blame on those experiencing homelessness, claiming that they are drug addicts, violent, and not worthy of help. 61% of Americans have not researched homelessness on their own, meaning they solely depend on media for their information (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2024). Furthermore, research has provided evidence that this culturally dominant messaging impacts Americans’ level of empathy and willingness to support policies of care (e.g., Medicaid, food stamps, shelter services) (Johnson et al., 2009). This project will explore one social networking channel that may promote culturally dominant messaging about those living in homelessness in Spokane. Through a content analysis of the language used in posts and comments on the social media app Nextdoor™ conducted over the last 3 months, this poster will explain what stereotypic themes emerge, the percentage of positive versus negative language used, and the attributions assumed (i.e., individual fault, structural inequities) for the situation of homelessness in Spokane. The project will offer a snapshot of the current, cultural messaging about unhoused individuals in the Spokane community.