‘In their own words’: a naturalistic co-produced study of young people’s experiences of emotional abuse and neglect expressed in anonymous, online peer-peer message forums

Bennett, Vanessa; Gill, Chloe; Miller, Pam; members, Clara Sayers and NeurOX YPAG; Appleton, Jane V.

doi:10.31234/osf.io/dmkwr

Cited by 4 publications

(48 citation statements)

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“…Critical contextual and psychological evidence from interpretative phenomenological co-analysis informed the co-produced thematic and conversation analyses reported here embedding YCoRs lived experience throughout the study. 19,34…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The theoretical help-seeking framework and methodology is described. Applying insights and findings from the familiarisation exercises and interpretative phenomenological analysis, 19 a methodological approach was developed to scaffold YcoR learning and involvement in thematic and conversation analyses.…”

Section: Qualitative Research Approach and Methodologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…20,21 Although many of CYP experiencing emotional abuse and neglect are likely to remain unknown to professional services, 22 many appear to engage with informal online support services. 19 Such engagement suggests that these online services may offer many CYP experiencing abuse an opportunity to explore and engage with these supportive communities. These informal, anonymous and confidential environments may facilitate help-seeking and disclosure by removing some barriers associated with environmental and psychosocial fears.…”

Section: Role Of Online Help-seeking and Peer Supportmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Inclusion criteria, data selection, sampling and the role of YcoR in the process is described in detail in the companion papers. 19,34…”

Section: The Message Board 'Data'mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In total, 10 message threads displayed a conversation with between four and 14 posts involving between one and five peer supporters. Full details of interactions are shown in Supplementary Data Table 1 and 'Thread numbers' correspond to those provided in Bennett et al ( 2022) 19 for detailed contextual background.…”

Section: Characteristics Of Roles and Peer-peer Interactionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Developing novel co-produced methodology to understand ‘real-world’ help-seeking in online peer-peer communities by young people experiencing emotional abuse and neglect

Bennett¹,

Gill²,

Miller³

et al. 2022

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Background: Recent systematic reviews suggest mediating factors (barriers and facilitators) of help-seeking for children and young people (CYP) with a range of mental health problems but highlight the need for more robust methodology underpinned by theoretical frameworks. Emotional abuse and neglect is the most prevalent and pervasive form of abuse, with many CYP remaining unknown to professional services. These CYP are underrepresented in help-seeking research yet seek help from their peers via anonymous online publicly available message communities. Objectives: To sensitively co-develop qualitative methodology to explore ‘real-world’ data to inform our understanding of help-seeking for these CYP, and define potential mediators (barriers and facilitators) and mechanisms of change associated with online peer support.Methods: Co-production with 10 young co-researchers (YCoR; aged 14-18 years) from NeurOX Young People’s Advisory Board (YPAG) included co-development and triangulation of different research methods (i.e., interpretative phenomenological, thematic, and conversation analyses) to analyse rich ethnographic material from 20 publicly available online message conversations between help-seekers experiencing or questioning emotional abuse and neglect. A theoretical model of adolescent help-seeking proposed by Rickwood et al. (2005) was used as a conceptual framework to guide methodological development. Results: The methodological approach facilitated identification of barriers and facilitators of help-seeking contextualised to the lives of these CYP: understanding and validating of abuse, emotional competence, fears and uncertainties around disclosure, knowledge, motivational factors, and connection/trusted relationships. Notably, positive changes in expressed or perceived ‘psychological state’ and/or intention to seek help were noticed in 9 of 10 message threads that included a ‘conversation’ (≥3 posts). Themes associated with change related to: connection with supportive peers; compassionate responding; and, the safeness of the online community. The existing adolescent help-seeking model was found to be too simplistic to account for help-seeking associated with emotional abuse and neglect. Conclusion: The novel methodological approach offers a meaningful way to explore ‘real-world’ data with YCoR, for a population underrepresented in help-seeking research. Proposed relational mechanisms involve connection, compassion and online communities. Further research coproduced with YCoR with diverse care experiences and characteristics is required to upscale the methodology and further validate and extend the findings.Public contribution: The core study was co-produced with 10 young co-researchers from the NeurOX YPAG who have been involved in over 135 hours on and offline work. Their roles involved co-deciding the direction of the study, evolving methodology, detailed co-analysis and reflective processes throughout all aspects of the study, interpretation, presentation and discussion of the findings with the NSPCC and Childline, and involvement in all communications. Additional consultation and involvement included further interested members of the NeurOX YPAG for the final online workshop and dissemination outputs.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Qualitative Research Approach and Methodologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Role Of Online Help-seeking and Peer Supportmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Inclusion criteria, data selection, sampling and the role of YcoR in the process is described in detail in the companion papers. 19,34…”

Section: The Message Board 'Data'mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Characteristics Of Roles and Peer-peer Interactionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Developing novel co-produced methodology to understand ‘real-world’ help-seeking in online peer-peer communities by young people experiencing emotional abuse and neglect

Bennett¹,

Gill²,

Miller³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Developing a novel co‐produced methodology to understand ‘real‐world’ help‐seeking in online peer–peer communities by young people experiencing emotional abuse and neglect

Bennett

Gill

Miller

et al. 2022

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Informed consent was not required. The study utilises open access data. Service users are informed that their data may be used for evaluation and research purposes.We acknowledge the valuable contributions of all NeurOX YPAG members who were involved in the research and those involved in the preparation (outlines) of this publication. We wish to acknowledge the support and collaboration with Childline throughout the research and dissemination process. In particular, we are grateful for the knowledge, expertise and input provided by Kirsty Donnelly from Childline. We are also grateful for support from Jessica Johansson during the project. The authors appreciated the time offered by Prof. Jane Appleton for reviews of the draft manuscript.

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Co‐production to understand online help‐seeking for young people experiencing emotional abuse and neglect: Building capabilities, adapting research methodology and evaluating involvement and impact

Bennett

Gill

Miller

et al. 2022

Health Expectations

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Background Involving young people (YP) as co‐researchers (YCoR) in mental health research is important for ethical and epistemological reasons. However, approaches to involve and evaluate ‘meaningful involvement’ in complex qualitative mental health research, and how to evaluate impacts (or change) for the co‐researcher and the research is less well defined. Objectives This co‐produced research explored the experiences of YP seeking help for emotional abuse and neglect via an online, peer‐peer message board. This practical case study aims to evidence the meaningful role and impacts associated with YCoR involvement in sensitive and complex mental health research using a flexible approach to co‐production. Methods During the Covid‐19 pandemic, we explored on‐ and off‐line approaches and adapted research methodology to build relationships, knowledge, skills, and confidence with YCoR. The virtual involvement was evaluated against the five principles of co‐production. Anonymous, continuous digital feedback, reflective practices and multiple dissemination outputs are used to evaluate the impact of the study on those involved and the research. Results Ten members of NeurOX Young People's Advisory Group were involved in the core project. Additional members were invited at later stages and in the dissemination of outputs. We describe a supportive, scaffolded learning approach to build capabilities and embed the lived experience of YCoR in complex qualitative research. A digital blended approach was acceptable to YCoR, principles of co‐production were met and the impact/benefits of involvement are described. To demonstrate the epistemological value of involving YP we evidence YPs capabilities for involvement and the ‘change’ or contribution YCoR made to the research through reflective practices. Conclusions This case study demonstrates how flexible approaches co‐production with YCoR can be robust and responsive to balance ethical and epistemological impact in complex mental health research. Supportive, scaffolded practices and safe environments helped build the confidence and capacity of YCoRs to demonstrate valuable phenomenological insights in the analysis. YP's perspectives on how they describe ‘meaningful’ and impactful involvement illustrate the reciprocal benefits gained through working together. Public Contribution This case study describes the YCoR involvement throughout the research and dissemination of outputs. YCoR co‐authors were involved in developing the outline and reviewing the draft stages of the manuscript.

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‘In their own words’: a naturalistic co-produced study of young people’s experiences of emotional abuse and neglect expressed in anonymous, online peer-peer message forums

Cited by 4 publications

References 0 publications

Developing novel co-produced methodology to understand ‘real-world’ help-seeking in online peer-peer communities by young people experiencing emotional abuse and neglect

Developing novel co-produced methodology to understand ‘real-world’ help-seeking in online peer-peer communities by young people experiencing emotional abuse and neglect

Developing a novel co‐produced methodology to understand ‘real‐world’ help‐seeking in online peer–peer communities by young people experiencing emotional abuse and neglect

Co‐production to understand online help‐seeking for young people experiencing emotional abuse and neglect: Building capabilities, adapting research methodology and evaluating involvement and impact

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