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Inside The Blackpill - En tematisk analys av diskurser på ett incelforum

Shakeel, Ibtihaaj LU (2026) SOAM21 20261
School of Social Work
Abstract
This study aims to explore how users of an online incel forum experience and interpret their relationships with women, sexuality, and romantic rejection. By examining how users describe their experiences, the study seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of online incel discourse and its implications for the field of social work. The theoretical framework combines phenomenology, Blumer’s symbolic interactionism, and Connell's theory of masculinities. The study uses a qualitative research design with thematic analysis. The empirical material consists of publicly available posts collected from an online forum intended for individuals who identify as incels. Posts from multiple discussion threads were compiled, coded, and analysed to... (More)
This study aims to explore how users of an online incel forum experience and interpret their relationships with women, sexuality, and romantic rejection. By examining how users describe their experiences, the study seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of online incel discourse and its implications for the field of social work. The theoretical framework combines phenomenology, Blumer’s symbolic interactionism, and Connell's theory of masculinities. The study uses a qualitative research design with thematic analysis. The empirical material consists of publicly available posts collected from an online forum intended for individuals who identify as incels. Posts from multiple discussion threads were compiled, coded, and analysed to identify recurring patterns in how users discuss women, sexuality, and experiences of rejection. The analysis demonstrates that these discourses are not merely individual expressions but are socially constructed and reinforced through interaction within the forum. Shared language, ideological concepts, and collective interpretations provide members with a sense of belonging while simultaneously reinforcing negative self-perceptions and limiting alternative ways of understanding their experiences. The study highlights the importance of knowledge of online incel communities within social work. Professionals need greater knowledge of these communities to identify vulnerable individuals, develop preventive interventions, and provide support. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Shakeel, Ibtihaaj LU
supervisor
organization
course
SOAM21 20261
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
incel ideology, involuntary celibacy, mental health, misogyny, incelideologi, ofrivillig celibat, mental hälsa, kvinnoförakt
language
Swedish
id
9249736
date added to LUP
2026-09-03 09:29:16
date last changed
2026-09-03 09:29:16
@misc{9249736,
  abstract     = {{This study aims to explore how users of an online incel forum experience and interpret their relationships with women, sexuality, and romantic rejection. By examining how users describe their experiences, the study seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of online incel discourse and its implications for the field of social work. The theoretical framework combines phenomenology, Blumer’s symbolic interactionism, and Connell's theory of masculinities. The study uses a qualitative research design with thematic analysis. The empirical material consists of publicly available posts collected from an online forum intended for individuals who identify as incels. Posts from multiple discussion threads were compiled, coded, and analysed to identify recurring patterns in how users discuss women, sexuality, and experiences of rejection. The analysis demonstrates that these discourses are not merely individual expressions but are socially constructed and reinforced through interaction within the forum. Shared language, ideological concepts, and collective interpretations provide members with a sense of belonging while simultaneously reinforcing negative self-perceptions and limiting alternative ways of understanding their experiences. The study highlights the importance of knowledge of online incel communities within social work. Professionals need greater knowledge of these communities to identify vulnerable individuals, develop preventive interventions, and provide support.}},
  author       = {{Shakeel, Ibtihaaj}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Inside The Blackpill - En tematisk analys av diskurser på ett incelforum}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}