What do they look for and what do they find? A coproduced qualitative study on young people’s experiences of searching for mental health information online

Maria Loades; Nina Higson-Sweeney; Bonnie Teague; Jenna Leas; Chloe Payne-Cook; Anastasia Slastikova; Hannah Peel; Grace Chamberlain; Lulu Ferguson; Kathryn Janes; Tom Rhodes; Eirini Roupa; Lucy Biddle

What do they look for and what do they find? A coproduced qualitative study on young people’s experiences of searching for mental health information online

Maria Loades, Nina Higson-Sweeney, Bonnie Teague, Jenna Leas, Chloe Payne-Cook, Anastasia Slastikova, Hannah Peel, Grace Chamberlain, Lulu Ferguson, Kathryn Janes, Tom Rhodes, Eirini Roupa, Lucy Biddle

Department of Psychology

Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article

Abstract

Background: Many young people (YP) struggle with their mental health and look online for help. To capitalise on their digital presence, we need to better understand how and where they seek information online and what they think of what they find.
Method: We recruited 24 YP (aged 13-18). Online interviews were coconducted by research team members and trained young researchers. We presented a persona with depression symptoms and asked about potential sources of information/support they might seek. They were also asked to think aloud while searching online and reviewing mental health resources (NHS, Young Minds). We used reflexive thematic analysis.
Results: Analysis generated four themes: (1) the online help-seeking process, showcasing where YP look for information and why; (2) the mismatch between the information YP expected to find and the reality; (3) the strategies YP employed to determine a source’s trust and credibility; (4) individual differences that can influence help-seeking.
Conclusion: Participants initiated their online search by Googling symptoms. They trusted NHS websites for basic medical information, while charities provided detailed content. Despite scepticism, social media offered validation. Online resources should prioritise visual appeal, user-friendliness, age-appropriate and personalised content, and peer insights. Codesign is imperative to ensure high-quality, impactful research.

Original language	English
Specialist publication	Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice
Publication status	Acceptance date - 18 Sept 2024

Bibliographical note

With thanks to Louise McCarthy who also conducted interviews and Dr Debbie Desrochers who shared the study advert and consulted at an early stage of this project. We also appreciate the ideas about recruitment shared by the spotLight on Adolescent Mood Problems (LAMP) Young Person’s Advisory Group.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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Loades, M., Higson-Sweeney, N., Teague, B., Leas, J., Payne-Cook, C., Slastikova, A., Peel, H., Chamberlain, G., Ferguson, L., Janes, K., Rhodes, T., Roupa, E., & Biddle, L. (Accepted/In press). What do they look for and what do they find? A coproduced qualitative study on young people’s experiences of searching for mental health information online. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice.

Loades, M , Higson-Sweeney, N, Teague, B, Leas, J, Payne-Cook, C, Slastikova, A, Peel, H, Chamberlain, G, Ferguson, L, Janes, K, Rhodes, T, Roupa, E & Biddle, L 2024, 'What do they look for and what do they find? A coproduced qualitative study on young people’s experiences of searching for mental health information online' Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice.

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abstract = "Background: Many young people (YP) struggle with their mental health and look online for help. To capitalise on their digital presence, we need to better understand how and where they seek information online and what they think of what they find. Method: We recruited 24 YP (aged 13-18). Online interviews were coconducted by research team members and trained young researchers. We presented a persona with depression symptoms and asked about potential sources of information/support they might seek. They were also asked to think aloud while searching online and reviewing mental health resources (NHS, Young Minds). We used reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Analysis generated four themes: (1) the online help-seeking process, showcasing where YP look for information and why; (2) the mismatch between the information YP expected to find and the reality; (3) the strategies YP employed to determine a source{\textquoteright}s trust and credibility; (4) individual differences that can influence help-seeking.Conclusion: Participants initiated their online search by Googling symptoms. They trusted NHS websites for basic medical information, while charities provided detailed content. Despite scepticism, social media offered validation. Online resources should prioritise visual appeal, user-friendliness, age-appropriate and personalised content, and peer insights. Codesign is imperative to ensure high-quality, impactful research.",

author = "Maria Loades and Nina Higson-Sweeney and Bonnie Teague and Jenna Leas and Chloe Payne-Cook and Anastasia Slastikova and Hannah Peel and Grace Chamberlain and Lulu Ferguson and Kathryn Janes and Tom Rhodes and Eirini Roupa and Lucy Biddle",

note = "With thanks to Louise McCarthy who also conducted interviews and Dr Debbie Desrochers who shared the study advert and consulted at an early stage of this project. We also appreciate the ideas about recruitment shared by the spotLight on Adolescent Mood Problems (LAMP) Young Person{\textquoteright}s Advisory Group.",

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AU - Loades, Maria

AU - Higson-Sweeney, Nina

AU - Teague, Bonnie

AU - Leas, Jenna

AU - Payne-Cook, Chloe

AU - Slastikova, Anastasia

AU - Peel, Hannah

AU - Chamberlain, Grace

AU - Ferguson, Lulu

AU - Janes, Kathryn

AU - Rhodes, Tom

AU - Roupa, Eirini

AU - Biddle, Lucy

N1 - With thanks to Louise McCarthy who also conducted interviews and Dr Debbie Desrochers who shared the study advert and consulted at an early stage of this project. We also appreciate the ideas about recruitment shared by the spotLight on Adolescent Mood Problems (LAMP) Young Person’s Advisory Group.

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N2 - Background: Many young people (YP) struggle with their mental health and look online for help. To capitalise on their digital presence, we need to better understand how and where they seek information online and what they think of what they find. Method: We recruited 24 YP (aged 13-18). Online interviews were coconducted by research team members and trained young researchers. We presented a persona with depression symptoms and asked about potential sources of information/support they might seek. They were also asked to think aloud while searching online and reviewing mental health resources (NHS, Young Minds). We used reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Analysis generated four themes: (1) the online help-seeking process, showcasing where YP look for information and why; (2) the mismatch between the information YP expected to find and the reality; (3) the strategies YP employed to determine a source’s trust and credibility; (4) individual differences that can influence help-seeking.Conclusion: Participants initiated their online search by Googling symptoms. They trusted NHS websites for basic medical information, while charities provided detailed content. Despite scepticism, social media offered validation. Online resources should prioritise visual appeal, user-friendliness, age-appropriate and personalised content, and peer insights. Codesign is imperative to ensure high-quality, impactful research.

AB - Background: Many young people (YP) struggle with their mental health and look online for help. To capitalise on their digital presence, we need to better understand how and where they seek information online and what they think of what they find. Method: We recruited 24 YP (aged 13-18). Online interviews were coconducted by research team members and trained young researchers. We presented a persona with depression symptoms and asked about potential sources of information/support they might seek. They were also asked to think aloud while searching online and reviewing mental health resources (NHS, Young Minds). We used reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Analysis generated four themes: (1) the online help-seeking process, showcasing where YP look for information and why; (2) the mismatch between the information YP expected to find and the reality; (3) the strategies YP employed to determine a source’s trust and credibility; (4) individual differences that can influence help-seeking.Conclusion: Participants initiated their online search by Googling symptoms. They trusted NHS websites for basic medical information, while charities provided detailed content. Despite scepticism, social media offered validation. Online resources should prioritise visual appeal, user-friendliness, age-appropriate and personalised content, and peer insights. Codesign is imperative to ensure high-quality, impactful research.

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What do they look for and what do they find? A coproduced qualitative study on young people’s experiences of searching for mental health information online

Abstract

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

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