This naturalistic study researched online help-seeking conversations between children and young people (CYP) experiencing emotional abuse and/or neglect (emotional maltreatment) and their peers. We believe this is the first study internationally to perform such research. Engagement with anonymous, online communities potentially offer children a source of knowledge and platform to express and understand their experiences with peers on their own terms, using their own words. This study, co-produced with 10 young co-researchers (YCoR) (aged 14-18 years), aimed to explore the experiences, psychological characteristics and interactions of CYP engaging with an online peer-peer message board service to explore theoretical and methodological approaches to examine such ‘real world’ data and inform service evaluation. Incorporating contextualised interpretations of the YCoR, a phenomenological approach explored how the experiences of abuse were constructed and questioned by CYP in online texts, and what motivates help-seeking. Findings detail the context of CYPs emotionally abusive or neglectful experiences, their language, disclosed mental health challenges, explicit and inferred help-seeking motivations. The co-produced methodology facilitated a nuanced interpretation of CYPs’ experiences to convey the impacts of emotional maltreatment disclosed in this anonymous environment. Validation with CYP with diverse experiences would facilitate further translation of findings.
Background: Recent systematic reviews suggest mediating factors (barriers and facilitators) of help-seeking for children and young people (CYP) with a range of mental health problems but highlight the need for more robust methodology underpinned by theoretical frameworks. Emotional abuse and neglect is the most prevalent and pervasive form of abuse, with many CYP remaining unknown to professional services. These CYP are underrepresented in help-seeking research yet seek help from their peers via anonymous online publicly available message communities. Objectives: To sensitively co-develop qualitative methodology to explore ‘real-world’ data to inform our understanding of help-seeking for these CYP, and define potential mediators (barriers and facilitators) and mechanisms of change associated with online peer support.Methods: Co-production with 10 young co-researchers (YCoR; aged 14-18 years) from NeurOX Young People’s Advisory Board (YPAG) included co-development and triangulation of different research methods (i.e., interpretative phenomenological, thematic, and conversation analyses) to analyse rich ethnographic material from 20 publicly available online message conversations between help-seekers experiencing or questioning emotional abuse and neglect. A theoretical model of adolescent help-seeking proposed by Rickwood et al. (2005) was used as a conceptual framework to guide methodological development. Results: The methodological approach facilitated identification of barriers and facilitators of help-seeking contextualised to the lives of these CYP: understanding and validating of abuse, emotional competence, fears and uncertainties around disclosure, knowledge, motivational factors, and connection/trusted relationships. Notably, positive changes in expressed or perceived ‘psychological state’ and/or intention to seek help were noticed in 9 of 10 message threads that included a ‘conversation’ (≥3 posts). Themes associated with change related to: connection with supportive peers; compassionate responding; and, the safeness of the online community. The existing adolescent help-seeking model was found to be too simplistic to account for help-seeking associated with emotional abuse and neglect. Conclusion: The novel methodological approach offers a meaningful way to explore ‘real-world’ data with YCoR, for a population underrepresented in help-seeking research. Proposed relational mechanisms involve connection, compassion and online communities. Further research coproduced with YCoR with diverse care experiences and characteristics is required to upscale the methodology and further validate and extend the findings.Public contribution: The core study was co-produced with 10 young co-researchers from the NeurOX YPAG who have been involved in over 135 hours on and offline work. Their roles involved co-deciding the direction of the study, evolving methodology, detailed co-analysis and reflective processes throughout all aspects of the study, interpretation, presentation and discussion of the findings with the NSPCC and Childline, and involvement in all communications. Additional consultation and involvement included further interested members of the NeurOX YPAG for the final online workshop and dissemination outputs.
Background Involving young people (YP) as co‐researchers (YCoR) in mental health research is important for ethical and epistemological reasons. However, approaches to involve and evaluate ‘meaningful involvement’ in complex qualitative mental health research, and how to evaluate impacts (or change) for the co‐researcher and the research is less well defined. Objectives This co‐produced research explored the experiences of YP seeking help for emotional abuse and neglect via an online, peer‐peer message board. This practical case study aims to evidence the meaningful role and impacts associated with YCoR involvement in sensitive and complex mental health research using a flexible approach to co‐production. Methods During the Covid‐19 pandemic, we explored on‐ and off‐line approaches and adapted research methodology to build relationships, knowledge, skills, and confidence with YCoR. The virtual involvement was evaluated against the five principles of co‐production. Anonymous, continuous digital feedback, reflective practices and multiple dissemination outputs are used to evaluate the impact of the study on those involved and the research. Results Ten members of NeurOX Young People's Advisory Group were involved in the core project. Additional members were invited at later stages and in the dissemination of outputs. We describe a supportive, scaffolded learning approach to build capabilities and embed the lived experience of YCoR in complex qualitative research. A digital blended approach was acceptable to YCoR, principles of co‐production were met and the impact/benefits of involvement are described. To demonstrate the epistemological value of involving YP we evidence YPs capabilities for involvement and the ‘change’ or contribution YCoR made to the research through reflective practices. Conclusions This case study demonstrates how flexible approaches co‐production with YCoR can be robust and responsive to balance ethical and epistemological impact in complex mental health research. Supportive, scaffolded practices and safe environments helped build the confidence and capacity of YCoRs to demonstrate valuable phenomenological insights in the analysis. YP's perspectives on how they describe ‘meaningful’ and impactful involvement illustrate the reciprocal benefits gained through working together. Public Contribution This case study describes the YCoR involvement throughout the research and dissemination of outputs. YCoR co‐authors were involved in developing the outline and reviewing the draft stages of the manuscript.
Background: Involving young people (YP) as co-researchers (YCoR) in mental health research is important for ethical and epistemological reasons. However, approaches to involve and evaluate ‘meaningful involvement’ in complex qualitative mental health research, and how to evaluate impacts (or change) for the co-researcher and the research is less well defined. Objectives: The co-produced research explored experiences of YP seeking help for emotional abuse and neglect via an on-line, peer-peer message board. This practical case study aims to evidence the meaningful role and impacts associated with YCoR involvement in sensitive and complex mental health research using flexible co-production. Methods: During the Covid-19 pandemic, we explored on- and off-line approaches and adapted research methodology to build relationships, knowledge, skills, and confidence of YCoR. The virtual involvement was evaluated against the five principles of co-production. Anonymous, continuous digital feedback, reflective practices and multiple dissemination outputs are used to evaluate the impact of the study on those involved and the research. Results: Ten members of NeurOX Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG) were involved in the core project. Additional members were invited at later stages and in dissemination of outputs. We describe a supportive, scaffolded learning approach to build capabilities and embed the lived experience of YCoR in complex qualitative research. A digital blended approach was acceptable to YCoR, principles of co-production were met and the impact/benefits of involvement are described. To demonstrate the epistemological value of involving YP we evidence YPs capabilities for involvement and the ‘change’ or contribution YCoR made to the research through reflective practices. Conclusions: This case study demonstrates how flexible co-production with YCoR can be robust and responsive to balance ethical and epistemological impact in complex mental health research. Supportive, scaffolded practices and safe environments helped build the confidence and capacity of YCoRs to demonstrate valuable phenomenological insights in the analysis. YP’s perspectives on how they describe ‘meaningful’ and impactful involvement illustrate the reciprocal benefits gained through working together. Public contribution: This case study describes the YCoR involvement throughout the research and dissemination of outputs. YCoR co-authors were involved in developing the outline and reviewing draft stages of the manuscript.
Informed consent was not required. The study utilises open access data. Service users are informed that their data may be used for evaluation and research purposes.We acknowledge the valuable contributions of all NeurOX YPAG members who were involved in the research and those involved in the preparation (outlines) of this publication. We wish to acknowledge the support and collaboration with Childline throughout the research and dissemination process. In particular, we are grateful for the knowledge, expertise and input provided by Kirsty Donnelly from Childline. We are also grateful for support from Jessica Johansson during the project. The authors appreciated the time offered by Prof. Jane Appleton for reviews of the draft manuscript.
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