Well-being from food blogging : food blogging as an expression of positive agency and relationship with food
Year: 2025
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Food blogging is one of today’s social media user-oriented forms of sharing everyday life, embodying the bloggers’ activities and impacting the blog’s followers. In this study, which belongs to the discipline of media education and positive psychology, I examined food bloggers’ perspectives on their blogging using a multi-method approach, asking how Finnish food bloggers understand the role of their food blogging in their relationship with food, their agency in social media, and as an expression of well-being more generally. The theoretical framework examines the connection between food blogging and well-being and agency. Study I analyzed food bloggers’ relationship with food expressed in their blogs. Study II explored the dimensions of agency in food blogging from the perspective of Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory. Study III examined the well-being discourses produced by food bloggers using Martin Seligman’s PERMA framework, a positive psychology well-being theory. The research approach was a multi-method qualitative study. The data consisted of the food blog entries of 16 food bloggers for one month, as well as an email survey completed by 19 food bloggers. The research materials were collected in 2018 and 2021. Each study employed different methods to analyze the material: a netnographic approach to examine food bloggers’ relationship with food, theorybased content analysis to investigate the dimensions of agency in food blogging, and discourse analysis to analyze the discourses on well-being produced by food bloggers. Ethical considerations surrounding the study of blogs and social media were critically examined. Based on the results, food bloggers’ relationship with food is rooted in values related to food and eating, an innovative and experimental approach to food, positive and multisensory food-related experiences and memories, and social elements related to eating and food. Food bloggers’ food-related agency manifested itself as four characteristics: 1) intentionality aimed at inspiring others, diversifying food culture and sharing food-related values; 2) as anticipation, which was related to expectations about the results of food activities, such as the pleasure produced by food, being happy with food and supporting others’ positive relationship with food; 3) as reactivity, which manifested itself as, for example, reliving and dealing with food-related experiences and combining the relationship with food and well-being; 4) as self-reflection, which food bloggers associated with developing a relationship with food and spreading awareness about responsibility related to food activities. The food bloggers’ well-being related to food was manifested in five discourses: 1) as a variety of positive feelings towards food and cooking, 2) as commitment, which was related to the food bloggers’ passion for food, 3) as human relationships that were nurtured together by eating, cooking and appreciating the time spent together, 4) as meaningfulness, which was manifested as the alignment of values and decisions about food, and 5) as an achievement, where courage, openness and the pleasure brought by success were emphasized. The development of food-related well-being expertise can be a significant part of a modern person’s lifelong learning process. This study primarily sheds light on the influence of social media, food blogging, and the possibilities of fostering a positive relationship with food and promoting well-being-related learning. Food blog posts could also be used as teaching material in adult education. In conclusion, it is presented that a positive relationship with food and action towards food can contribute to food well-being. This research has produced information that can deepen the understanding of these concepts. Food bloggers were found to be Finnish food well-being experts who have the opportunity to promote a positive attitude towards food and cooking in others. The research yields interesting new insights into individual activity in social media arenas, using food blogging as an example. The conclusions highlight the role of blogging and life publishing in supporting well-being and promoting positive learning and development.
Source: Lauda (University of Lapland)
Author: Partanen, Riikka
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7079903166