Who Needs Therapy When There is TikTok: A Qualitative Study on the Mental Health Information Needs on Social Media of Young Adults with Anxiety and Depression.

The number of Dutch young adults experiencing anxiety and depression complaints is growing. Young adults have difficulty seeking professional help and turn to social media for mental health information. This research explores mental health information needs on social media and fulfillment via online short videos (OSVs) of young adults with anxiety and depression complaints. Fifteen semi-structured interviews, 20 to 60 minutes each, are conducted. The interview guide is structured based on theory regarding general social media uses and general health information needs. This research uses a hybrid coding approach and a thematic analysis to analyze the data. The findings indicate that young adults experience emotional and practical benefits from using OSVs as a source of mental health information. For example, multiple types of social support can be found in OSVs, including informational support, esteem support, emotional support, and network support, fulfilling young adults' affective and cognitive needs for mental health information. However, young adults also experience barriers to accessing OSVs as mental health information sources, such as low credibility regarding the perceived usefulness, trustworthiness, and quality of information and possible triggers and dangers. The sample needs more diversity, limiting the generalizability. Therefore, the research suggests using a more diverse sample regarding education level, age, and gender. The findings of this study are of interest to psychologists who want to understand the facilitation and barriers to using OSVs for mental health information on social media and the mental health information needs of young adults. Furthermore, the findings interest policymakers as they provide information on potential risks associated with using social media as a health information source. As a result, policymakers can establish guidelines regarding mental health information on social media to protect young adults

Navigating Mental Health in the New Social Media Age: The Effects of Consuming Online Mental Health Information on Adolescents Well-being

The growing influence of new social media platforms centered around Online Short Videos (OSVs) in everyday life has raised important questions about its effects of usage durations on well-being of young adults. This transition towards new social media provides an abundance of information, including mental health-related content, whose effects on well-being are not yet fully understood. The current study was prompted by the urgent needs to understand these effects, including a focus on examining whether young adults’ varying levels of anxiety and depression would moderate these relationships. Following a person-specific approach, a sample of N=64 participants was included in a three-week experience sampling method (ESM) study to examine their new social media usage, OSVs consumption, exposure to anxiety/depression-related content, as well as their momentary well-being. Contrary to expectations, the study did not yield statistically significant results. These results underline the complexity of the relationship between new social media use, OSV consumption, anxiety/depression-related content exposure, and well-being, highlighting the need for further comprehensive research in this field

Inequality matters: The Role of Economic, Social, Cultural, and Person Capital in Explaining Inequalities in the Accessibility and Usability of Digital Health Technologies

The use of digital health technologies could offer promising ways for sustainable health opportunities . However, the accessibility and use of such technologies differs between groups in society. Previous research indicates that differences in people ’s socioeconomic position are associated with the degree to which they have access to and use digital health technology Inequality in socioeconomic position is often operationalized as differences in economic capital. A more comprehensive definition of inequality that also encompasses differences in social, cultural and person capital provides a richer understanding of the interplay between inequality and the accessibility and use of digital health technology . In this paper we provide a thorough theoretical overview in which we explore how the accessibility and use of digital health technology is expected to be affected by variations in different types of capital. We discuss the problems that arise when examining the predictors for the use of digital health technology from a sociological perspective and how this relates to a digital divide In conclusion, we provide a point of departure for future research that can address this complex interaction of factors and consequently provide possible directions to mitigate the risk of inequalities in access to and use of digital health technologies

Adapting Online Patient Decision Aids: Effects of Modality and Narration Style on Patients’ Satisfaction, Information Recall and Informed Decision Making

Audiovisual and narrative information are often used in online decision aids. However, few studies have tested whether these strategies are more effective compared to other types of information. We tested the effect of these strategies on satisfaction with the information, recall and informed decision-making in a 2 (Modality: audiovisual vs. textual) x 2 (Narration style: narrative vs. factual) experimental design. Data was collected in an online experiment among 262 analogue cancer patients. Since most cancer patients are older people, we also assessed if the effectiveness of these strategies differs depending on the patient’s age. Data was analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling. Findings showed audiovisual modality had a positive effect on satisfaction. Moreover, audiovisual modality improved recall, both directly and indirectly via satisfaction, which subsequently resulted in better-informed decision-making. Narratives resulted in more satisfaction, but not better recall or informed decision-making. These effects were found in patients of all ages

The Patient Navigator: Can a systematically developed online health information tool improve patient participation and outcomes related to the consultation in older patients newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer?

Background: Older cancer patients may search for health information online to prepare for their consultations. However, seeking information online can have negative effects, for instance increased anxiety due to finding incorrect or unclear information. In addition, existing online cancer information is not necessarily adapted to the needs of older patients, even though cancer is a disease often found in older individuals. Objective: The aim of this study was to systematically develop, implement and evaluate an online health information tool for older cancer patients, the Patient Navigator, providing information that complements the consultation with healthcare providers. Method: For the development and evaluation of the Patient Navigator, the four phases of the MRC framework were used. In the first and second phase the Patient Navigator was developed and pilot tested based on previous research and sub-studies. During the third phase the Patient Navigator was implemented in four Dutch hospitals. In the last phase, a pilot RCT was conducted to evaluate the Patient Navigator in terms of usage (observational tracking data), user experience (self-reported satisfaction, involvement, cognitive load, active control, perceived relevance of the tool), patient participation (observational data during consultation), and patient outcomes related to the consultation (questionnaire data regarding anxiety, satisfaction, and information recall). Recently diagnosed colorectal cancer patients (N = 45) were randomly assigned to the control condition (usual care) or the experimental condition (usual care + Patient Navigator). Results: The Patient Navigator was well used and evaluated positively. Patients who received the Patient Navigator contributed less during the consultation by using less words than patients in the control condition and experienced less anxiety two days after the consultation than patients in the control condition. Conclusion: Since the Patient Navigator was evaluated positively and decreased anxiety after the consultation, this tool is potentially a valuable addition to the consultation for patients. Usage of the Patient Navigator resulted in patients using less words during consultations, without impairing patients’ satisfaction, possibly because information needs might be fulfilled by usage of the Patient Navigator. This could create the possibility to personalize communication during consultations and respond to other patient needs

The Patient Navigator: Can a systematically developed online health information tool improve patient participation and outcomes related to the consultation in older patients newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer?

BACKGROUND: Older cancer patients may search for health information online to prepare for their consultations. However, seeking information online can have negative effects, for instance increased anxiety due to finding incorrect or unclear information. In addition, existing online cancer information is not necessarily adapted to the needs of older patients, even though cancer is a disease often found in older individuals. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to systematically develop, implement and evaluate an online health information tool for older cancer patients, the Patient Navigator, providing information that complements the consultation with healthcare providers. METHOD: For the development and evaluation of the Patient Navigator, the four phases of the MRC framework were used. In the first and second phase the Patient Navigator was developed and pilot tested based on previous research and sub-studies. During the third phase the Patient Navigator was implemented in four Dutch hospitals. In the last phase, a pilot RCT was conducted to evaluate the Patient Navigator in terms of usage (observational tracking data), user experience (self-reported satisfaction, involvement, cognitive load, active control, perceived relevance of the tool), patient participation (observational data during consultation), and patient outcomes related to the consultation (questionnaire data regarding anxiety, satisfaction, and information recall). Recently diagnosed colorectal cancer patients (N = 45) were randomly assigned to the control condition (usual care) or the experimental condition (usual care + Patient Navigator). RESULTS: The Patient Navigator was well used and evaluated positively. Patients who received the Patient Navigator contributed less during the consultation by using less words than patients in the control condition and experienced less anxiety two days after the consultation than patients in the control condition. CONCLUSION: Since the Patient Navigator was evaluated positively and decreased anxiety after the consultation, this tool is potentially a valuable addition to the consultation for patients. Usage of the Patient Navigator resulted in patients using less words during consultations, without impairing patients’ satisfaction, possibly because information needs might be fulfilled by usage of the Patient Navigator. This could create the possibility to personalize communication during consultations and respond to other patient needs