Cycle Syncing and TikTok’s Digital Landscape: A Reasoned Action Elicitation Through a Critical Feminist Lens
Date
2024-11-22
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Qualitative Health Research
Abstract
Cycle syncing is a menstrual health trend on TikTok that involves aligning exercise and diet with the four menstrual cycle phases. Cycle syncing is part of the conversation on social media about women’s reproductive health. However, clinical research on the effects of cycle syncing is inconclusive, and there is the potential that this trend could further perpetuate misinformation and gender stereotypes. Research suggests that social media can affect health behaviors, highlighting the need to understand if women intend to participate in cycle syncing. Guided by the Reasoned Action Approach, this study used focus groups (n = 39) to examine young women’s attitudes, normative beliefs, and control beliefs about participating in cycle syncing, and critical feminist theory to sensitize resulting themes. Results suggest that normative beliefs emphasize support for the behavior among women, yet participants suggest that men would not support this behavior. Additionally, positive beliefs about cycle syncing content sourced from inconclusive scientific literature underscores concerns regarding the potential dissemination of misinformation in women’s health practices on social media. Findings also fit into a larger discussion about “hormonophobia” and contraception on social media. Theoretical implications for mixed methods research and future directions are discussed.
Description
This article was originally published in Qualitative Health Research 2024, Vol. 0(0) 1–13. Article reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permissions. DOI: 10.1177/10497323241297683. journals.sagepub.com/home/qhr. The version of record is available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/10497323241297683. © The Author(s) 2024.
Keywords
cycle syncing, social media, critical feminist theory, reasoned action approach, menstrual health
Citation
Pfender EJ, Kuijpers KL, Wanzer CV, Bleakley A. Cycle Syncing and TikTok’s Digital Landscape: A Reasoned Action Elicitation Through a Critical Feminist Lens. Qualitative Health Research. 2024;0(0). doi:10.1177/10497323241297683