IntroductionYoung people with eating disorders are at risk of harm to their social, emotional and physical development and life chances. Although they can be reluctant to seek help, they may access social media for information, advice or support. The relationship between social media and youth well‐being is an emotive subject, but not clearly understood. This qualitative study aimed to explore how young people used a youth‐orientated, moderated, online, eating disorders discussion forum, run by an eating disorders charity.MethodsWe applied a netnographic approach involving downloading and thematically analysing over 400 messages posted August–November 2012.ResultsData analysis generated five themes: Taking on the role of mentor; the online discussion forum as a safe space; Friendship within the online forum; Flexible help; and Peer support for recovery and relapse prevention. Forum moderation may have influenced the forum culture.DiscussionOur findings are consistent with literature about youth preferences for mental health self‐care support. A young person's decision to use this discussion forum can be construed as pro‐active self‐care. A moderated online discussion forum can make a positive contribution to support for youth with eating disorders, countering negative media perceptions of online groups.ConclusionThis study adds to knowledge about how young people access support via social media. Online discussion forums can be safe and acceptable spaces for youth to access help. Further research could provide insights into the impact of forum moderation.
This paper reviews current literature in which adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) were consulted about their views of their treatment. Published research was systematically retrieved and interrogated during 2009-2010 and analysed using a four-stage model. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Three core themes were identified. AN was perceived as a means of taking control and also something that controlled the individual. Tensions were recognized between client preferences for psychological interventions and treatments that prioritized physical care. Therapeutic alliance emerged as a strategy for overcoming these difficulties but was challenged by client ambivalence towards treatment. Most included studies were qualitative. Young males and individuals who dropped out of treatment were underrepresented in the studies. Adolescents' perspectives on treatment for AN were characterized by paradoxes and tensions. Egosyntonic theory was used as a theoretical construct to interpret findings.
The present study is aimed to translate 3 widely used clinical assessment measures into British Sign Language (BSL), to pilot the BSL versions, and to establish their validity and reliability. These were the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale, and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS). The 3 assessment measures were translated into BSL and piloted with the Deaf signing population in the United Kingdom (n = 113). Participants completed the PHQ-9, GAD-7, WSAS, and Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation–Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) online. The reliability and validity of the BSL versions of PHQ-9, GAD-7, and WSAS have been examined and were found to be good. The construct validity for the PHQ-9 BSL version did not find the single-factor solution as found in the hearing population. The BSL versions of PHQ-9, GAD-7, and WSAS have been produced in BSL and can be used with the signing Deaf population in the United Kingdom. This means that now there are accessible mental health assessments available for Deaf people who are BSL users, which could assist in the early identification of mental health difficulties.
There is an on-going need for staff from domestic violence services to be aware of the complexities within which women from ethnic minority populations experience domestic violence and abuse.
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