Byrne, Sadhbh and Swords, Lorraine and Nixon, Elizabeth (2024) Depression Literacy and Self-Reported Help-Giving Behaviour in Adolescents in Ireland. Child Psychiatry and Human Development. ISSN 0009-398X

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Abstract

This questionnaire-based study aimed to explore depression literacy (DL) and help-giving experiences in 12–18-year-old adolescents (N = 535, Mage = 14.9 years, 51.8% male) in Ireland. In response to a vignette depicting a character displaying symptoms of depression, 46.7% labelled these symptoms ‘depression’, with increasing age and empathy associated with increased likelihood of labelling as such. Almost all (92.1%) believed the character needed help, but the perceived helpfulness of potential responses varied. Over one-third (38.2%) indicated they knew someone who had displayed similar symptoms in the past year, with 85.2% of these reporting having helped this person. Reported help-giving responses included comforting the person, encouraging professional help-seeking, and informing an adult. The findings suggest adolescent DL can be best supported by developmentally-sensitive interventions that encourage empathy and the importance of engaging adults’ assistance.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Adolescents; Mental health; Depression; Mental health; literacy; Depression literacy;
Academic Unit:	Assisting Living & Learning,ALL institute Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology
Item ID:	18689
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-024-01727-w
Depositing User:	Sadhbh Byrne
Date Deposited:	26 Jun 2024 18:53
Journal or Publication Title:	Child Psychiatry and Human Development
Publisher:	Springer
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	Publisher
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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