Characteristics of the ideal healthcare services to meet adolescents' mental health needs

A qualitative study of adolescents' perspectives

Bibliographic Data

ID19508116
AuthorsLaia G Meldahl (Department for Quality and Health Technology, SHARE—Centre for Resilience in Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Stavanger Stavanger Norway), Lou Krijger (Department for Quality and Health Technology, SHARE—Centre for Resilience in Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Stavanger Stavanger Norway), Maren McLean Andvik (University of Glasgow), Nicole Elizabeth Cardenas (University of Stavanger), Oliver Cuddeford (Department for Quality and Health Technology, SHARE—Centre for Resilience in Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Stavanger Stavanger Norway), Samuel Duerto (Department for Quality and Health Technology, SHARE—Centre for Resilience in Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Stavanger Stavanger Norway), Julia Rose Game (Pomeranian Medical University), Maya Ibenfeldt (Department for Quality and Health Technology, SHARE—Centre for Resilience in Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Stavanger Stavanger Norway), Murad Mustafa (Department for Quality and Health Technology, SHARE—Centre for Resilience in Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Stavanger Stavanger Norway), Mathias Tong (Department for Quality and Health Technology, SHARE—Centre for Resilience in Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Stavanger Stavanger Norway), Petter Viksveen (0000-0003-2361-8404, Department for Quality and Health Technology, SHARE—Centre for Resilience in Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Stavanger Stavanger Norway, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume25
Issue6
Pages2924-2936
Publication date2022-12-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Expectations (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-6513 • E-ISSN: 1369-7625
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/hex.13600
PMID36074720
OpenAlexW4294992435
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited34

INTRODUCTION: Despite increased focus on development of mental health services worldwide, many adolescents still hesitate to reach out to the services when they need them. This might be linked to the lack of adolescent involvement in the development of services. This study aimed to explore adolescents' perspectives on the ideal healthcare services to meet their mental health needs. METHODS: A two-stage qualitative study was carried out to explore the perspectives of adolescents on the healthcare services to support their mental health. In the first stage, data from 295 adolescents attending a mental health seminar were analysed using qualitative content analysis. In the second stage, in-depth perspectives of 10 adolescent coresearchers were gathered through self-reflection and group discussions to further explore the categories developed in the first stage. Thematic analysis was used to develop the themes answering the research question. Ten adolescent coresearchers planned the study, collected and analysed data and authored the manuscript, with the support of a senior researcher. RESULTS: Five themes describe adolescents' perspectives on the ideal healthcare services to meet their mental health needs: (1) Culturally Sensitive and Responsive; (2) Communication of Information; (3) Easy Access; (4) Variety of Support; and (5) Consistency. Culturally Sensitive and Responsive services influenced all other themes. The themes describe suggestions for mental health service improvement, including how to manage the barriers that adolescents face to receive help from the mental health services. DISCUSSION: This study highlights the importance of culturally sensitive and responsive services. It raises the need for an expanded definition of culture going beyond nationality and ethnic background. Adolescents need flexible services that meet their individual mental health needs. This has implications for practitioners, educators, system organizers and researchers, who should also involve adolescents in planning, implementing and assessing the services. There is a need for a self-learning system to continuously adapt to user feedback. CONCLUSION: This study provides insight into adolescents' perspectives on the ideal mental health services. It offers suggestions for ways to improve services to better meet the individual mental health needs of adolescents. Additional research is needed to further develop and implement service changes, as well as to assess their acceptability, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and safety. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This is a study lead by adolescents. Adolescent coresearchers have, with the support of a senior researcher, planned and carried out the study, collected and analysed data and authored the manuscript

Focus group · Health care · Medical education · Mental health · Psychiatry · Qualitative research · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Nursing · Psychology · School Health and Nursing Education

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