Engaging Parents of Lower-Socioeconomic Positions in Internet- and Mobile-Based Interventions for Youth Mental Health: A Qualitative Investigation

Grace Broomfield, Catherine Wade and Marie B. H. Yap
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Grace Broomfield: Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
Catherine Wade: Parenting Research Centre, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
Marie B. H. Yap: Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 17, 1-19

Abstract: Growing literature supports the use of internet- and mobile-based interventions (IMIs) targeting parenting behaviours to prevent child and adolescent mental health difficulties. However, parents of lower-socioeconomic positions (SEP) are underserved by these interventions. To avoid contributing to existing mental health inequalities, additional efforts are needed to understand the engagement needs of lower-SEP parents. This study qualitatively explored lower-SEP parents’ perspectives on how program features could facilitate their engagement in IMIs for youth mental health. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 16 lower-SEP parents of children aged 0–18 to identify important program features. Participants were mostly female (81.3%) and aged between 26 and 56 years. Transcriptions were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Twenty-three modifiable program features important to lower-SEP parents’ engagement in IMIs were identified. These features aligned with one of three overarching themes explaining their importance to parents’ willingness to engage: (1) It will help my child; (2) I feel like I can do it; (3) It can easily fit into my life. The relative importance of program features varied based on parents’ specific social and economic challenges. These findings offer initial directions for program developers in optimising IMIs to overcome barriers to engagement for lower-SEP parents.

Keywords: qualitative; prevention; parenting; youth mental health; engagement; socioeconomic position; eHealth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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