An online intervention for 18–25‐year‐old youth whose parents have a mental illness and/or substance use disorder: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Aim: Young adults aged 18-25 whose parents have a mental illness or substance use problem can be vulnerable to multiple difficulties in adulthood. There are, however, few available interventions designed for this group. This study evaluated a 6 week online intervention (mi. spot; mental illness: supported, preventative, online, targeted) specifically designed for this population. The intervention aims to improve mental health and wellbeing.Methods: Forty-one young people, recruited from the community, participated in a two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial where participants were randomized to mi. spot (n = 22) or a wait list control group (n = 19). They were assessed at baseline, immediately post intervention and at six weeks post intervention with measures covering depression, anxiety and stress, wellbeing, coping, general self-efficacy, help seeking and social connectedness.Results: Intervention participants reported significantly improved psychological wellbeing, coping, general self-efficacy, and a reduction in anxiety. Participants in the control group reported significant improvements in emotional wellbeing and help seeking and a reduction in self-blame. Conclusion:This pilot controlled trial supported previous findings and shows preliminary evidence that mi.spot is effective for young adults who grew up with parents who have a mental illness or substance use problem. A large-scale, randomized controlled trial with a diverse group of young people is needed.

The effect of web-based educational interventions on mental health literacy, stigma and help-seeking intentions/attitudes in young people: systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Two studies measured mental health literacy [ 31 , 32 ], two studies measured help-seeking intentions/attitudes [ 33 , 34 ], one study measured mental health literacy and help-seeking intentions/attitudes [ 35 ], one study measured mental health literacy and stigma [ 36 ], and four studies(one of the studies has two separate reports) measured help-seeking intentions/attitudes and stigma [ 37 – 39 ]. Of the 10 final full-text studies, 5 studies in Australia, two studies in the United States of America, one study in Ethiopia, one study in Singapore, and one study in the Netherlands.…”

“…The results of the risk of bias assessment are shown in in supplementary material 2. The table shows that three studies [ 31 , 35 , 38 ] are excellent, four are good [ 33 , 34 , 36 , 37 ], and two are low in quality [ 32 , 39 ]. The studies that have excellent or good quality are clear about their research aim/s, research setting and target population, and study design.…”

“…Most of the studies were non-RCTs with moderate to serious risk of bias, which limits the confidence in their findings. Only three studies were RCTs with low risk of bias [ 34 , 36 , 37 ], which provide more reliable evidence for the effectiveness of web-based interventions on MHL and help-seeking intentions/attitudes. These studies reported positive effects of web-based interventions on both outcomes, which is consistent with our meta-analysis results.…”

Effectiveness of a Web-Based Individual Coping and Alcohol Intervention Program for Children of Parents With Alcohol Use Problems: Randomized Controlled Trial

“…In Sweden, 2 other programs with inconclusive treatment effects have been tested that target significant others and their children [ 37 , 38 ]. Finally, a digital intervention developed in Australia for 18- to 25-year-old individuals with parents with mental illness or substance use disorder [ 36 ] was tested in a pilot study demonstrating positive findings [ 40 ].…”

“I Can Sense When My Hands Need Washing”: A Qualitative Study and Thematic Analysis of Factors Affecting Young Adults’ Hand Hygiene

“…Although the definition varies across the literature, some research studies have defined young adults as those aged 18 to 25 years due to their unique psychosocial and health needs, and the major transitions they undergo from adolescence to adulthood. [17][18][19] Regarding hand hygiene, previously published research have found self-reported hand hygiene to be lower among young adults compared to other age demographics. [20][21][22] Moreover, young adults have reported lower intentions to practice handwashing compared to other age groups 23 ; young adults aged 18 to 29 had a lower frequency of washing and sanitizing hands compared to other age groups 10,24 ; and there is evidence to support these behaviors were similar prior to the pandemic suggesting this demographic is unique and young adults face additional barriers to hand hygiene.…”