Perception, Attitudes, and Experiences Regarding Mental Health Problems and Web Based Mental Health Information Amongst Young People with and without Migration Background in Germany. A Qualitative Study

Ümran Sema Seven, Mendy Stoll, Dennis Dubbert, Christian Kohls, Petra Werner and Elke Kalbe
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Ümran Sema Seven: Medical Psychology, Neuropsychology and Gender Studies and Center for Neuropsychological Diagnostics and Intervention (CeNDI), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50923 Cologne, Germany
Mendy Stoll: Faculty of Information Science and Communication Studies, TH Köln/University of Applied Sciences, 50678 Cologne, Germany
Dennis Dubbert: Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering Science, TH Köln/University of Applied Sciences, 50678 Cologne, Germany
Christian Kohls: Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering Science, TH Köln/University of Applied Sciences, 50678 Cologne, Germany
Petra Werner: Faculty of Information Science and Communication Studies, TH Köln/University of Applied Sciences, 50678 Cologne, Germany
Elke Kalbe: Medical Psychology, Neuropsychology and Gender Studies and Center for Neuropsychological Diagnostics and Intervention (CeNDI), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50923 Cologne, Germany

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 18, issue 1, 1-24

Abstract: Mental illnesses in adolescence and young adulthood are steadily increasing. Thus, mental disorders represent an individual and societal challenge and an enormous health economic burden, creating an urgent need for research and action. Mental health problems are omnipresent in the life of young people and the internet is the first resource, which helps them to understand their situation. Young people with migration background often have more difficulties accessing health care services. Digital technologies offer an ideal opportunity for a low-threshold platform that addresses the needs of young people. The current project “GeKo:mental” aims to design a multilingual website for Cologne-based adolescents and young adults that will enable them to obtain comprehensive information about mental illness and health, treatment options and first contact points. To design this website, this study aims to find out what kind of health information is needed and how it should best be presented. Nine focus group discussions with adolescents and young adults with and without migration background (N = 68) were conducted; the focus group discussions took place at schools, in an association for social youth work and in an cultural association, which is linked to a mosque in Cologne, Germany. A qualitative content analysis was conducted on the gathered material. The participants reported concrete challenges and needs. The results will form the basis for the development and design of a website.

Keywords: adolescents; young adults; migrant background; mental illness; health literacy; internet/web information; focus group discussions; qualitative content analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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