Defining research priorities for youth public mental health: reflections on a coproduction approach to transdisciplinary working

Taylor, A., McMellon, C., French, T., Maclachlan, A. , Evans, R., Lewis, R. , McCann, M. , Moore, L. , Simpson, S. and Inchley, J. (2022) Defining research priorities for youth public mental health: reflections on a coproduction approach to transdisciplinary working. Health Research Policy and Systems, 20, 72. (doi: 10.1186/s12961-022-00871-w) (PMID:35725482) (PMCID:PMC9207849)

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Abstract

Background: With most mental health problems established during childhood/adolescence, young people must be a key focus of public mental health approaches. Despite the range of factors known to influence mental health, evidence for effective interventions is lacking for this age group. This study aimed to define priorities for future public health intervention-focused research to support youth mental health by engaging with transdisciplinary stakeholder groups. Methods: Our coproduction approach involved priority-setting workshops with young people, researchers, practitioners and policy-makers. Each workshop focused on three thematic areas: social connections and relationships; schools and other education settings; and key groups at greater risk of mental ill-health, specifically LGBTQ+ and care-experienced young people. Workshop outputs were synthesized to define research priorities. Results: This paper presents the research priorities that were defined through the priority-setting workshops, and our reflections on the coproduction approach to guide future similar activities undertaken by others. Ten priorities for youth public mental health research were defined, covering the following areas: building supportive relationships; whole system approaches; social media; support at times of transition; improving links between different services; development and training for those who support young people; staff mental health; engaging with families; awareness of and access to services; and out-of-school and community settings. Conclusions: These research priorities can inform future intervention development to support youth public mental health. Our transdisciplinary approach means the identified research priorities are likely to be relevant to young people’s experiences and needs, and to fit with the needs of those working in practice and policy to support young people.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:McMellon, Dr Christina and Maclachlan, Dr Alice and McCann, Dr Mark and Lewis, Dr Ruth and Moore, Professor Laurence and Inchley, Dr Joanna and Simpson, Professor Sharon
Authors: Taylor, A., McMellon, C., French, T., Maclachlan, A., Evans, R., Lewis, R., McCann, M., Moore, L., Simpson, S., and Inchley, J.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
Journal Name:Health Research Policy and Systems
Publisher:BioMed Central
ISSN:1478-4505
ISSN (Online):1478-4505
Copyright Holders:Copyright © The Author(s) 2022
First Published:First published in Health Research Policy and Systems 20: 72
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons license

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
303369Transdisciplinary Research for the Improvement of Youth Mental Public Health (TRIUMPH) NetworkJoanna InchleyEconomic and Social Research Council (ESRC)ES/S004351/1SHW - MRC/CSO Social & Public Health Sciences Unit
727661Complexity in Health ImprovementLaurence MooreMedical Research Council (MRC)MC_UU_12017/14HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
727661Complexity in Health ImprovementLaurence MooreOffice of the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSO)SPHSU14HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit