Self-Management Strategies in Youth With Difficulties Related to Anxiety or Depression

What Helps Them Feel Better

Bibliographic Data

ID6432335
AuthorsHélène Gaudreau (0000-0003-4781-8128, Université du Québec à Montréal, QC, Canada), Stephanie Radziszewski (0000-0003-0916-7731, Université du Québec à Montréal, QC, Canada), Janie Houle (0000-0003-0370-5076, Université du Québec à Montréal, QC, Canada, corresponding author), Annie Beaudin (Université du Québec à Montréal), Louis-Philippe Boisvert (Direction des services en santé mentale volet jeunes, Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, Montreal, QC, Canada), Syphax Brouri (Université du Québec à Montréal), Mathieu Charrette (Université du Québec à Montréal), Laurent Côté (Université du Québec à Montréal), Simon Coulombe (0000-0002-2424-2026, Université Laval, QC, Canada), Réal Labelle (0000-0002-5661-9254, Université du Québec à Montréal, QC, Canada), Elissa Louka (Université du Québec à Montréal), Benjamin Mousseau (Université du Québec à Montréal), Noémie Phaneuf (Université du Québec à Montréal), Debra Rickwood (0000-0002-4227-0231, University of Canberra, ACT, Australia), Pierre H Tremblay (Direction régionale de santé publique de Montréal, QC, Canada)
Year2023
Volume40
Issue1
Pages66-98
Publication date2023-03-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Adolescent Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0743-5584 • E-ISSN: 1552-6895
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/07435584231154840
OpenAlexW4323043753
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited62

Anxiety and depressive disorders are the most prevalent mental health problems in adolescents, however, little is known about the strategies they use to deal with their difficulties and regain power over their symptoms. This exploratory study documented the self-management strategies used by adolescents to recover from difficulties related to anxiety and/or depression. Individual interviews were conducted in Montreal, Canada with 49 participants aged 11 to 18 years (28 girls, 20 boys, and 1 non-binary person from various cultural origins) after approval by the Institutional Review Board. Young people were questioned about the self-management strategies they put in place when they felt stressed, sad, or anxious. The data were coded according to the thematic analysis method using an inductive approach. Participants reported 73 self-management strategies, regrouped in four broad themes: (a) I think through; (b) I surround myself with people/animals; (c) I feel and manage my emotions; (d) I continue my daily activities. Their strategies emphasize the role played by their social network and the place of social media as a support in their recovery. Self-management is an empowering process that allows adolescents to take responsibility and to make decisions that foster their recovery

Anxiety · Depression (economics · Developmental psychology · Exploratory research · Mental health · Psychiatry · Psychotherapist · Qualitative research · Self-management · Thematic analysis · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Digital Mental Health Interventions · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Psychology · Social Psychology

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