Kintsugi-Inspired Design: Communicatively Reconstructing Identities Online After Trauma

Trauma can disrupt one’s sense of self and mental well-being, leading survivors to reconstruct their identities in online communities. Drawing from 30 in-depth interviews, we present a sociotechnical process model that illustrates the mechanisms of online identity reconstruction and the pathways to integration. We introduce the concept of fractured identities, reflecting the enduring impact of trauma on one’s self-concept.