Potential of social media in promoting mental health in adolescents

O'Reilly, M., Dogra, N., Hughes, J., Reilly, P. , George, R. and Whiteman, N. (2019) Potential of social media in promoting mental health in adolescents. Health Promotion International, 34(5), pp. 981-991. (doi: 10.1093/heapro/day056) (PMID:30060043) (PMCID:PMC6904320)

Abstract

The growing prevalence of adolescent mental disorders poses significant challenges for education and healthcare systems globally. Providers are therefore keen to identify effective ways of promoting positive mental health. This aim of this qualitative study was to explore perceptions that social media might be leveraged for the purposes of mental health promotion amongst adolescents aged between 11 and 18 years. Utilizing focus groups conducted with adolescents (N = 54), educational professionals (N = 16) and mental health practitioners (N = 8). We explored their views about the value of social media for this purpose. Three themes were identified. First, social media appears to have potential to promote positive mental health. Second, adolescents frequently utilize social media and the internet to seek information about mental health. Finally, there are benefits and challenges to using social media in this way. We conclude that despite challenges of using social media and the risks, social media does offer a useful way of educating and reaching adolescents to promote mental wellbeing.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by the Wellcome Trust (grant number: 109393/Z/15/Z).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Reilly, Dr Paul
• Authors: O'Reilly, M., Dogra, N., Hughes, J., Reilly, P., George, R., and Whiteman, N.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Politics
• Journal Name: Health Promotion International
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISSN: 0957-4824
• ISSN (Online): 1460-2245
• Published Online: 30 July 2018