Peaceful Death in Japanese YouTube Videos: Content and Network Analysis

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Media Studies
• Gerontology

Background:

• Discussing death is challenging, yet understanding contemporary Japanese perspectives on a peaceful death is crucial.
• Shifts in public perceptions of death post-COVID-19 pandemic require consideration by end-of-life care providers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine recent representations of peaceful death in Japanese YouTube videos.
• To understand the narratives and family structures associated with peaceful death portrayals.

Main Methods:

• Content and family network analyses were performed on 457 YouTube videos concerning peaceful death.
• Videos were categorized into three groups: ordinary people, celebrities, and fictional characters.

Main Results:

• Illness was the most common narrative (12%), primarily involving adults aged 18-59.
• A gender bias favoring male representations of death was observed in celebrity and fictional videos.
• Family networks in ordinary people's videos were more complex, with equal importance placed on male and female members.

Conclusions:

• The study challenges Japan's nonreligious image and highlights gender bias in social media representations of death.
• Development of end-of-life care and research protocols for patients beyond older adults is recommended.