An Informed Grounded Theory Analysis of Lifestyle Patterns and the Pursuit of Tensions in the Pantip.com Online Community
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Abstract
This study examines the life patterns and tensions faced by urban workers in the Pantip.com online community, employing Informed Grounded Theory (IGT). This qualitative research method enables the development of new theories directly from data. A total of 425 threads related to financial, work, and relationship issues from 2019 to 2023 were analyzed. The findings reveal three main patterns of tension: the Cycle of Debt and Struggle, Occupational Burnout, and Fractures in Family Relationships. These tensions are not isolated but are intertwined and mutually reinforced in a complex manner. This study's central theoretical contribution is the core theory of "The Cycle of Vulnerability," which explains how individuals are trapped in a self-perpetuating loop of problems. The research also introduces the concept of “Seeking Tensions” to explain why users intentionally engage with stressful content online as a coping mechanism for their vulnerability. This contributes to a deeper understanding of well-being in digital-era Thailand. It also provides a theoretical foundation for designing holistic interventions and policies that address these interconnected issues.
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