Social Work and Social Media: Online Help-Seeking and the Mental Well-Being of Adolescent Males

Abstract

Current global concerns regarding the mental well-being of young males have called for fresh approaches to social work service delivery. This study investigates the efficacy of adopting more 'online' approaches within social work practice by examining the current impact of online help-seeking behaviours on the mental wellbeing of adolescent males. A survey questionnaire comprised of validated scales measuring mental well-being and self-efficacy, combined with questions examining online help-seeking attitudes and behaviours was completed by 527 respondents aged 14-16 years within a school environment. The internet was used by 42% of respondents to retrieve health information. In general, respondents appeared knowledgeable regarding the importance of trusted and quality online health information, yet were more likely to use search engines (57%) or social networking sites (48%) to find information rather than a government sponsored website (23%). Young males who reported speaking to online friends regarding personal problems recorded statistically significantly higher levels of mental wellbeing (p<0.02). This may suggest that being able to communicate online how you are feeling is a positive for male mental health. Social work practitioners need to recognise this generational shift in help-seeking, in terms of providing and commissioning interpersonal helping via social media.

Young People’s Online Help-Seeking and Mental Health Difficulties: Systematic Narrative Review

“…The research methodologies of the studies were varied. Only 4 of the 28 included studies mentioned which help-seeking model they employed to inform their study design [6,12,22,23]. These models were limited to Rickwood’s help-seeking model and the theory of planned behavior .…”

Seeking Help From Everyone and No-One

“…Searching online for health information appears a trend which is continuing to gain momentum (Best et al 2014). This was often presented as a solitary act with varying attached motivations, such as self-diagnosis, gathering additional information on illness, including those that are stigmatising and/or embarrassing.…”

“…Because of the advantages of anonymity, accessibility and user control, it has been argued that online internet services offer specific benefits over offline services for people who experience stigmatising illnesses, such as mental ill-health (Berger, Wagner and Baker, 2005;Best, Manktelow and Taylor, 2014).…”

Social Media and Social Work: The Challenges of a New Ethical Space

“…Health departments, fire, police, ambulance, and other essential services can quickly issue warnings widely through information technologies (Alexander, 2014). Evidence also suggests that young men who speak online to friends about problems are more likely to have higher levels of mental wellbeing than those who do not (Best, Manktelow, & Taylor, 2014). Social media can promote open dialogue with collaborative reflections (Friesen & Lowe, 2012), democratic participation and engagement in politics (Bertot, Jaeger, & Hansen, 2012), coordinate successful political action (see Shirkey, 2011), strengthen relationships (Ellison, Steinfield, & Lampe, 2007), and be inclusive (Bertot et al, 2012).…”