Table 3.
Similar Themes Across YouTube Video Comments
| Theme | Definition | N = 529 Comments [No. (%)] |
Sample Quote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Negative emotion | 242 (46) | ||
| Toward poster/video | An angry/negative response directed at video subject or poster | 187 (77) | “These people have no respect, their language is not only disrespectful but disgusting” |
| Toward physicians | An angry/negative response directed at physicians or health care | 34 (14) | “These disgusting doctors, they won’t even give people a chance to fight for their life. After only one week and ready to pull the plug and harvest his organs. Damn shame. I’m glad the young man woke up.” |
| Toward organ donation | A response negatively referencing organs or organ donation | 21 (9) | “Doctors are like vultures on ppl in coma .For their organs ..” |
| Positive emotion | An empathetic response directed at video subject or poster | 158 (30) | “Oh my god heartbroken” |
| Brain death clarification | Asks a question or comment regarding brain death | 83 (15) | “Was he actually dead though? The beep machine was on & he still had all the tubes etc strapped onto him?” |
| Spirituality | A religious-based response from the commenter | 46 (9) | “From the point of view of MEDICINE???? NOT from the point of view of GOD!!!!” |