Collaborative Involvement of Indigenous Youth in the Design and Evaluation of Digital Mental Health Interventions: A Scoping Review Protocol

Abstract

Background: Indigenous youth worldwide are at greater risk of developing mental health concerns due to ongoing inequity and disadvantage. Digital mental health solutions are identified as a potential approach to improving access to mental health treatment for Indigenous youth, with evidence of acceptability and effectiveness beginning to emerge. Although collaborative design, development and evaluation is widely recognised as necessary to improving the acceptability of these tools, there is limited evidence to guide engagement of Indigenous youth in these processes. The objective of this scoping review is to map evidence regarding the collaborative involvement of Indigenous youth in the design and/or evaluation of digital mental health interventions. Methods: Scoping review methodology includes six stages, 1) identifying research question; 2) identifying relevant studies; 3) developing a study selection and data extraction method; 4) charting the data; 5) collating, summarising and reporting results. Additionally, Step 6) consultation, engages a male and female Indigenous health researcher in reviewing protocols, analysis and findings, enhancing credibility and ensuring findings are informed by Indigenous worldviews. Searches for relevant literature are undertaken in the following databases: EBSCOhost databases (Academic Search Premiere, Computer and Applied Science complete, CINAHL Plus with Full text, MEDLINE with full text, APA PsychArticles, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences collection, APA PsychInfo), PubMed, and Scopus. In addition, Infomit and Google (limited to the first 200 results) are searched for grey literature. All primary studies and grey literature in English that meet eligibility criteria are included. Data, including; study methods, methodologies, digital mental health program details, participant information and engagement and reporting processes are extracted and included for analysis. Data extraction variables are guided by the Consolidated Criteria for Strengthening Reporting of Health Research (CONSIDER statement). This statement provides a best practice checklist for reporting research involving Indigenous peoples. This scoping review protocol has been registered with Open Science Framework (available via osf.io/2nkc6).Discussion: To date, there are no reviews which critically analyse engagement of Indigenous youth in the development and evaluation of youth-specific digital mental health interventions. This review will aim to fill that gap and appraise alignment of current practice with best practice guidelines to inform future research. It will highlight appropriate strategies for the engagement of youth in collaborative processes, providing guidance for health practitioners, policy makers, and researchers working in the field of Indigenous youth and digital mental health.

Integrative review protocol for Indigenous youth participation in health equity promotion

“…There is an ever-expanding base of individual health studies reporting on the challenges and benefits of Indigenous youth participatory approaches, especially the use of Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR). Current literature only includes one published systematic review on health promotion delivery, 53 one published scoping review protocol on programme design and evaluation, 54 and one unpublished scoping review on YPAR. 55 While important, such studies generally report on participatory approaches within structured interventionist contexts compared with the plethora of natural settings in which youth can participate.…”