A systematic review of depression literacy: Knowledge, help‐seeking and stigmatising attitudes among adolescents

Abstract

Introduction: Depression is a common mental health disorder and afects many adolescents worldwide. Depression literacy can improve mental health outcomes. The aim of this study was to collate and analyse the extant evidence on depression literacy among adolescents, with particular focus on tools used to examine depression literacy and the indings on components of depression literacy. Methods: Nine electronic databases and 1 grey literature source were searched for studies published in English between January 2006 and December 2018 and involving adolescents aged 10-19 years. We included studies that reported on components of depression literacy such as knowledge, help-seeking and stigmatising attitudes. We excluded qualitative studies. Two independent reviewers veriied that the studies met the inclusion criteria, assessed the quality of the studies and extracted their characteristics. The data were descriptively analysed and appraised using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), Cochrane Collaboration's tool and the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies (QATSQ). Results and conclusion: Fifty of the 14,626 references identiied met the inclusion criteria. Depression literacy was most commonly (58%) assessed using tools that utilize a vignette-based methodology. A lack of uniformity in reporting of depression literacy was noted. Adolescents were poor at recognising depression, likely to seek help from informal sources and tended to attach stigma to depression. The implications of the indings are discussed and suggestions made for future research.

Kids helping kids: The lived experience of adolescents who support friends with mental health needs

“…However, adolescents may not be able to evaluate information and determine what is most appropriate, to give advice to their friends. This is consistent with literature that suggests that adolescents are not thoroughly knowledgeable about mental health issues and may not provide the best advice (Singh et al, 2019; Yap et al, 2011).…”

“…Adolescents often confide in and seek support from their peers as opposed to adults. Adolescents turn to peers because of familiarity and established trust within informal relationships (Singh et al, 2019). Particularly with mental health issues, adolescents may also feel reluctant to reach out to adults, espeically in a formal role, because of lack of trust and stigma associated with mental health (Singh et al, 2019).…”

“…During adolescence, peers can influence immediate health outcomes as well as mediate depression and anxiety later in life (Jacobson & Newman, 2016; Mackin et al, 2017). However, there is evidence that suggests that adolescents are not always well‐equiped and knowledgable to help their friends (Singh et al, 2019; Yap et al, 2011). Adolescents may not recognize symptoms of a depression or believe that there is stimga associated with a mental health issue and therefore not offer help, or if they are in a position to offer help, they may provide poor advice (Burns & Rapee, 2006; Mason et al, 2015; Singh et al, 2019).…”

Improving mental health literacy in adolescents: systematic review of supporting intervention studies

“…Only 4 studies measured all components of MHL outcomes (knowledge about mental illness, stigma, helpseeking) in adolescents [9,10,13,14], whereas 3 studies measured only some components of MHL outcomes [11,12,15]. Ideally, all components of MHL should be measured, so future research may be reconsidered about MHL components when measuring its outcomes by using available MHL measurements [24][25].…”

Sexual and reproductive health knowledge among young people: a bibliometric analysis (1900 – 2019)

“…Information and research assessment of SRH knowledge among young people are vital for decision-makers to implement health policies, initiatives, and develop evidence-based effective programs to address adolescents' needs. There are several systematic reviews on adolescents' health in general [9][10][11][12][13][14]. However, there are no published studies that assessed research activity on SHR knowledge in young people.…”