Online digital storytelling video on promoting men’s intentions to seek counselling for depression: The role of empathy

Abstract

Background: Applying the narrative transportation theory, we sought to test the role of a male-sensitive digital storytelling video as a source to persuade men to develop greater intentions to seek counselling based on their empathic reactions to the storyteller. Methods: Using a post-test only design, a total of 247 diverse adult men ( M = 35.86, SD = 12.75) were randomly assigned to either the brochure or video condition and subsequently reported on their state empathy, perceived persuasiveness, and intentions to seek counselling. Controlling for previous counselling experience, a three-way interaction analysis was conducted to assess the significance of the relationship between persuasiveness and intentions to seek counselling across the two conditions, and whether empathy moderated this association in each condition. Results: For men who viewed the brochure, greater persuasiveness was linked to lower intentions to seek counselling at all levels of empathy; although, at high empathy, the relationship was not significant. A similar trend was observed for men who viewed the video at low and mean empathy levels. However, for men who reported high empathy after viewing the video, greater persuasiveness was significantly linked to greater intentions to seek counselling. Conclusion: Empathy may play a viable role in promoting intentions to seek counselling among men who view persuasive digital storytelling content on depression. However, more research needs to be conducted on the conditions that make it favourable for men to have empathic reactions to the contents. Implications for research and the potential for intervention are discussed.

General Practitioners’ Experiences With Potentials and Pitfalls of Video Consultations in Norway During the COVID-19 Lockdown: Qualitative Analysis of Free-Text Survey Answers

“…In contrast, some GPs in this study reported having established relationships with patients who, for different reasons (social withdrawal, anxiety, lack of trust in health personnel, and practical hindrances), might otherwise have been reluctant to attend an in-person consultation. In such instances, VCs stand out as an alternative to not receiving health care at all [ 31 , 32 ] and may lower the threshold to in-person consultations after establishing an initial relationship.…”

The Role of First-Person Depression Storytelling Online Video on Men’s Self-Stigma of Seeking Help, Traditional Masculinity Ideology, and Psychological Help-Seeking Attitudes

“…Fourth, even though we theorized mechanisms associated with exposure to storytelling, other than perceived persuasiveness and exposure check, we did not assess for other indicators such as emotional and cognitive arousal, or state empathy. For instance, men with increased empathic reactions to other men experiencing depression reported greater intentions to seek psychological help (Keum et al, 2021). These variables would need to be examined given that they are linked to how people are affected by media messages and can be additional intervention points (Bang & Yildirim, 2018).…”

Fostering Asian American Emerging Adults’ Advocacy Against Anti-Black Racism Through Digital Storytelling

“…Given the need for tools to promote advocacy against anti-Black racism, we sought to test if a digital storytelling video on anti-Black racism would increase advocacy among Asian American emerging adults. In an era when social media has a significant influence on people’s beliefs and attitudes, stories shared through videos on social media platforms may play a key role in shaping people’s beliefs and behaviors toward sensitive social issues (Keum et al, 2022; Keum & Ogrodniczuk, 2023). Specifically, storytelling videos on racial trauma likely help people engage more deeply with the issues of racism embedded in these stories, persuading them to act against racism.…”

“…This meaning-making and reflective process often allows listeners to reexamine their own belief systems and be motivated in new ways in accordance with the meaning of the stories (Kreuter et al, 2007). As such, storytelling is often used in health promotion and persuasive marketing around sensitive issues, including the promotion of advocacy against gender-based violence (Mannell et al, 2018), informing the public about health disparities (Lee et al, 2016), and encouraging men to seek help for depression (Keum et al, 2022).…”