A readability analysis of online mental health resources.

Abstract

Analyzing the reading grade level of online mental health information is an important first step in ensuring that information is largely accessible by the general public, so as not to perpetuate existing health disparities across socioeconomic groups. The present study systematically examined grade-level readability of mental health information related to various psychiatric diagnoses, obtained from 6 highly utilized mental health websites, using a generalized estimating equations approach. Results suggest that, in general, the readability of mental health information is largely well above the 6th-to-8th grade level recommended by several national health organizations, including the CDC and NIH (Kutner, Greenberg, Jin, & Paulsen, 2006; National Institutes of Health, 2001, 2017), with reading-grade-level estimates from the model ranging from 5.62 to 17.9. Further efforts are required to ensure that writers of online health information do not exacerbate existing health disparities by ignoring these guidelines.

How did individual differences in neurocognition and health literacy influence the initial uptake and use of health-related information about COVID-19?

“…Searching the internet for health-related information can have positive health effects (Fox & Rainey, 2002). Yet online health information is often unregulated, unreliable, and complex to digest (Skierkowski et al, 2019). This variability in online information quality has been particularly challenging in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic (Cuan-Baltazar et al, 2020).…”

Neurocognitive Correlates of Internet Search Skills for eHealth Fact and Symptom Information in a Young Adult Sample

“…Searching the internet for health-related information can have positive health effects, such as improving self-care and treatment decisions (Fox & Rainie, 2002). However, health information on the internet is largely unregulated and often quite complicated (Skierkowski et al, 2019); as such, individuals can be misled into destructive beliefs, ineffective or harmful treatments, or false medical understandings, particularly persons with lower health literacy (Mittman & Cain, 1999). Given the expanding landscape of internet users, including populations particularly susceptible to changes in neurocognitive abilities (e.g., older adults, persons with chronic medical conditions), it is important to understand the neurocognitive skills necessary for successful internet navigation for health-related information.…”

Assessment of the readability and quality of online patient education materials for the medical treatment of open-angle glaucoma

“…Readability of written text is an objective measure of the reading skills one must possess to understand the material, and is measured in terms of US ‘grade levels’. 18 The readability of text has a significant impact on the comprehension of the material by the patient. 19 Despite this, health literacy and readability of online PEMs is often overlooked.…”