Cited by 304Health Literacy and Information AccessibilityMental Health Treatment and AccessDigital Mental Health Interventions

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Young students' use of the Internet for mental health information and support

HORGAN, Á., SWEENEY, J.·2010·Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing

DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2850.2009.01497.x

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Abstract

Accessible summary • Young people experience difficulties in accessing mainstream mental health services, yet are experiencing increasing rates of mental health problems. • There is a growth in the use of the Internet for health information and support. • This study aimed to elicit the views of 922 students on using the Internet for health information and support. • The findings of this study can help inform website design and web-based interventions for young people with mental health problems. Abstract It is recognized that young people experience difficulties in accessing mainstream mental health services particularly because of the stigma that remains associated with mental health problems. One potential solution is to use the many websites available offering information and support for mental health problems, such support and information could be offered by Psychiatric Nurses. However, young peoples' usage and views on using the Internet for this purpose has yet to be examined. This quantitative descriptive study aimed to elicit the views of 922 University students, aged between 18 and 24 years, on using the Internet for mental health information and support. Data were collected using a 30-item self-designed questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings indicated that 72.4% of participants used the Internet several times a day. In addition, 30.8% had previously searched for mental health information online, predominantly on depression. While it was found that 68% of participants indicated that they would use the Internet for mental health support if they needed to, 79.4% would still prefer face to face support. It is concluded that young people are willing to use the Internet for mental health information and that it represents a viable source of support for this age group.

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Ahmad, N., Rahman, A. B., Jasman, N., Salleh, K. Z., Harun, S. N. F., Krishnan, M., & Johar, M. (2020) · EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR) · doi:10.36713/epra4422 · Cited by 6
“This finding is consistent with previous studies whereby the Internet offers suitable, various, and cheap information as noted by Horgan and Sweeney (2010).”
Result
Leveraging Text Mining Approach to Identify What People Want to Know About Mental Disorders From Online Inquiry Platforms
Park, S., Kim-Knauss, Y., & Sim, J.-A. (2021) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.759802 · Cited by 6
“A few studies have identified that people sought information online regarding diagnosis, medication, mental health services, and side effects (7, 17, 18).”
BackgroundInfluential
Health Information on Firefighter Websites: Structured Analysis
Hu, M., MacDermid, J. C., Killip, S. C., Lomotan, M., & FIREWELL (2018) · Interactive Journal of Medical Research · doi:10.2196/ijmr.9369 · Cited by 6
“The single most common reason cited for valuing Web-based mental health resources was that it provided anonymity [30].”
Intention to use digital-based psychosocial counseling and its predictors among students in University of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia, 2023: Using modified unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model
Anteneh, D. S., Kelkay, J. M., Wubneh, H. D., Beshir, M. A., & Gashu, K. D. (2025) · SAGE Open Medicine · doi:10.1177/20503121241307136 · Cited by 10
A Social Media Study of Portrayals of Bipolar Disorders on YouTube: Content and Thematic Analyses
Mayor, E., & Bietti, L. M. (2025) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/67129 · Cited by 5
“Young individuals facing mental health issues often search for information online, as this affords them anonymity which helps them avoid being stigmatized [7].”
Research on hotspots and evolution paths in the field of health information behavior: a comparison study of bibliometrics based on CNKI and WoS data
Zhu, Y., Zhu, Y., & Fan, L. Z. (2022) · Library Hi Tech · doi:10.1108/lht-08-2022-0399 · Cited by 6
Designing an Evidence-based Mental Health Intervention Alongside University Students
Williams, L., Pinto, M. D., Abrahim, H. L., Bhattacharya, A., Harrison, T., Burton, C. W., McIntyre, J. R. S., Negi, L. T., & Hayes, G. R. (2023) · Lecture notes in computer science · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-35572-1_13 · Cited by 5
Emergency online schools as a means of providing schooling and crisis support after school closings due to catastrophic disasters
Rush, S. C., Wheeler, J., & Partridge, A. (2014) · International Journal of Emergency Management · doi:10.1504/ijem.2014.066481 · Cited by 5
The Perceived Problems of People With Subclinical Personality Disorders: A Mental Health Literacy Study
Furnham, A. F., & Petropoulou, K. (2017) · Journal of Relationships Research · doi:10.1017/jrr.2017.3 · Cited by 5
“It seems young people use the web to find information about various mental disorders (Horgan & Sweeney, 2010).”
Background
The working alliance in online counselling for crisis intervention and youth
Brown, G. (2012) · Open ULeth Scholarship (OPUS) (University of Lethbridge) · Cited by 5
"Medtep DBT": A Dialectical Behavior Therapy Native App and Web Platform for Borderline Personality Disorder Patients and Their Therapists
Suñol, J., María Panisello, J., Castell, E., Juan Tárraga López, P., Sánchez, C., & Pérez, V. (2017) · Universal Journal of Public Health · doi:10.13189/ujph.2017.050305 · Cited by 4
“There is also a will to use mobile apps for mental health by the psychiatric population[21, 22]; regarding the global population, especially the young, around 30,8% to 38,8% were found to be looking for mental health information on the internet[29, 30] and 68% indicated they would use the internet for mental health su…”
Background
Rechercher et s’approprier l’information en santé mentale sur Internet : une étude qualitative auprès d’étudiants
Montagni, I., Capelle, A., Chalifour, C., & Langlois, E. (2018) · Revue française des sciences de l’information et de la communication · doi:10.4000/rfsic.5097 · Cited by 4
The Relationship between Intimate Partner Violence and Online Help-Seeking: A Moderated Mediation Model of Emotion Dysregulation and Perceived Anonymity
Xu, H., Zeng, J., Cao, Z., & Hao, H. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph19148330 · Cited by 4
A DSM-5-Based Online Mental Health Referral Inventory: A Large-Scale Validation Study
Epstein, R., Ho, M., Hyun, S., Le, C., Robertson, R. E., & Stout, D. (2017) · Journal of Technology in Human Services · doi:10.1080/15228835.2017.1356800 · Cited by 4
“…turn first to the Internet to get information about health and mental health, often by using nonvalidated tests and quizzes (to explore these issues in detail, see Burns, Davenport, Durkin, Luscombe, & Hickie, 2010; Horgan & Sweeney, 2010; Lam-Po-Tang & McKay, 2010; PEW Research Center, 2013).”
Background
Experience of Students in Using Online Mental Health Interventions: A Qualitative Study
Oti, O., Pretorius, C., & Pitt, I. J. (2023) · Communications in computer and information science · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-29548-5_9 · Cited by 4
Medical Online Consultation Service in CAM at the University Hospital Zurich
Schmidt-Weitmann, S., Jenny, K., Bühler, R. N., Saller, R., & Brockes, C. (2014) · Complementary Medicine Research · doi:10.1159/000358502 · Cited by 4
Internet delivered question and answer column for patients with schizophrenia
Maijala, R. K., Anttila, M., Koivunen, M. H., Pitkänen, A., Kuosmanen, L., & Valimaki, M. A. (2014) · Informatics for Health and Social Care · doi:10.3109/17538157.2014.924946 · Cited by 4
“Many people seek emotional support via Internet forums [38], such as adolescents seeking information on mental health problems and from their peers [39].”
Background
Developing Digital Literacies in Undergraduate Nursing Studies
Theron, M., Borycki, E. M., & Redmond, A. (2017) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-805362-1.00008-5 · Cited by 4
Social Media Use in College-age Youth: A Comprehensive Review and a Call to Action
Holmes, H., Lara, A. E., & Brown, G. S. (2020) · Current Psychopharmacologye · doi:10.2174/2211556009999200408112951 · Cited by 5
Maximizing the impact of E-Therapy and Serious Gaming: Time for a paradigm shift
Fleming, T. M., Beurs, D. P. D., Khazaal, Y., Gaggioli, A., Riva, G., Botella, C., Baños, R., Aschieri, F., Bavin, L. M., Kleiboer, A. M., et al. (2020) · doi:10.26686/wgtn.12331280.v2 · Cited by 4
Students’ Trust Formation and Credibility Judgements in Online Health Information – A Review Article
Khosrowjerdi, M., & Sundqvist, A. (2017) · Tidsskriftet Arkiv · doi:10.7577/ta.2165 · Cited by 3
“…(2004) 246 77 Escoffery et al. (2005) 743 53 Ettel 3rd et al. (2012) 497 42 Ghaddar et al. (2012) 261 81 Henderson et al.(2009) 223 >70 Horgan & Sweeney (2010) 922 38 Jiménez-Pernett et al. (2010) 811 55.7 Neumark et al. (2013) 7028 50 Ybarra et al. (2008) 500 38 In a substantial…”
BackgroundInfluential
The Lived Experience of Work and Career Among Individuals with Bipolar Disorder: A Phenomenological Study of Discussion Forum Narratives
Rathbun‐Grubb, S. (2019) · The International Journal of Information Diversity & Inclusion (IJIDI) · doi:10.33137/ijidi.v3i4.33011 · Cited by 3
Evaluating webpage performance and web accessibility of Canadian universities’ mental health service webpages
Sivayoganathan, T., & Ramzan, M. (2024) · Universal Access in the Information Society · doi:10.1007/s10209-024-01097-z · Cited by 3
“The internet is an important resource among emerging adults for seeking sensitive health information, particularly for stigmatized conditions [10–12].”
Students seeking help for mental health problems Do Australian university websites provide clear pathways
Laws, T. A., & Fiedler, B. (2013) · Adelaide Research & Scholarship (AR&S) (University of Adelaide) · Cited by 3
Escala de e-Literacia em Saúde (EeLS): Contributo para a construção e validação de um instrumento de e-literacia em saúde
Silva, I., & Jólluskin, G. (2017) · Revista de Estudios e Investigación en Psicología y Educación · doi:10.17979/reipe.2017.0.14.2613 · Cited by 3
Supporting Early College High School Students: The Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Perfectionism on Perfectionism, Negative Affectivity, and Social–Emotional Well-Being
Bendit, A., Mariani, M., Peluso, P. R., & Calabrese, E. (2023) · The Professional Counselor · doi:10.15241/ab.13.3.222 · Cited by 2
“Despite the efficacy of online therapy being well established in the treatment of mental health concerns, some studies suggest that students would prefer face-to-face support over online therapy (Horgan & Sweeney, 2010; Sweeney et al., 2019).”
Background
Differential impacts of digital interactive media and print media on mental health: mediating mechanism of health literacy and group heterogeneity
Yuan, J., & Luo, L. (2025) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2025.1618570 · Cited by 3
“Moreover, digital platforms offer innovative tools for mental healthcare, such as online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mobile health apps, greatly improving accessibility to mental health services (24, 25).”
Mental health beyond the school gate: Young people’s perspectives of mental health support online, and in home, school and community contexts
Jago, N., Wright, S., Hartwell, B. K., & Green, R. (2020) · Educational and Child Psychology · doi:10.53841/bpsecp.2020.37.3.69 · Cited by 2
Digital transformation in healthcare
Masoud, R. (2022) · International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications · doi:10.29322/ijsrp.12.07.2022.p12744 · Cited by 4
Development and pilot testing of an online training program for better use of internet to learn about depression and anxiety (BUILDA)
Gu, Y., Kalibatseva, Z., Song, X., & Prakash, S. (2023) · Journal of Education and Health Promotion · doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_1761_22 · Cited by 2
Exploring the Transition from Online Mental Health Services to Face-to-Face Support for Young Adults 18–25 Years
Lane, S. (2024) · Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet · doi:10.1080/15398285.2024.2376435 · Cited by 2
“Therefore, the opportunity for online services to focus on developing a sense of trust between users and potential mental health care providers could be an important place for future investigation (Horgan and Sweeney 2010).”
Influential
Migration and Urban Mental Health in China
Chen, J. (2016) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-981-10-0752-1_15-1 · Cited by 2
E-Health Knowledge Management by Australian University Students
Usher, W. T., & Too, L. S. (2012) · International Journal of Reliable and Quality E-Healthcare · doi:10.4018/ijrqeh.2012070105 · Cited by 2
Development of an automatic health screening system for Student Health Education of University
Miyazaki, E., Kamano, H., Yamakata, D., Hori, Y., & Imai, Y. (2012) · International Conference on Digital Information and Communication Technology and its Applications (DICTAP) · doi:10.1109/dictap.2012.6215395 · Cited by 2
INNOVATION IN DESIGNING HEALTH INFORMATION WEBSITES: RESULTS FROM A QUANTITATIVE STUDY
Pang, P. C., Chang, S., Verspoor, K. M., & Pearce, J. M. (2016) · Victoria University Research Repository (Victoria University) · Cited by 2
La recherche d’aide concernant le suicide à l’adolescence
Rassy, J., Bonin, J., Michaud, C., & Mathieu, L. (2017) · Neuropsychiatrie de l Enfance et de l Adolescence · doi:10.1016/j.neurenf.2017.09.008 · Cited by 2
Different Intervention Targets of Supporting Oneself or Supporting A Loved-One Impact Intention to Use Psychotherapy Versus Digital Mental Health: A Randomized Pilot Study
Baumel, A., & Tamir, S. (2022) · Journal of Technology in Human Services · doi:10.1080/15228835.2022.2036300 · Cited by 2
“…the potential to remove barriers associated with service uptake, the public has tended to view DMHIs less favorably than face-to-face services, with studies reporting lower preference rates for the former (Berle et al., 2015; Casey & Clough, 2015; Horgan & Sweeney, 2010; Spence et al., 2011).”
Background
Cognitive Theories of Depression in Online Peer Support Forums: Exploring the Cognitive Triad
Pierce, N. E., & Hoelterhoff, M. (2017) · Journal of European Psychology Students · doi:10.5334/jeps.405 · Cited by 3
“Horgan & Sweeney (2010) report that online self-help for depression was found to be viable for a young adult age group, with many of these communities evaluated as being part of professionally led interventions (Eysenbach, Powell, Englesakis, Rizo, & Stern, 2004).”
Background
Overcoming Help-Seeking Barriers and Service Demands on Canadian University Campuses and the Role of Campus Support Services
Dunn, E. I. (2014) · ERA: Education and Research Archive (University of Alberta) · doi:10.7939/r3gt1v · Cited by 3

Authors: HORGAN, Á., & SWEENEY, J.
Affiliations: University College Cork (IE)
Venue: Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2010-03
Volume: 17
Issue: 2
Pages: 117-123
ISSN: 1351-0126 (ISSN-L)
1365-2850
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2850.2009.01497.x
OpenAlex: W1993563855
Cited by: 303
References: 23
Citations by year: 2026: 5 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 26 · 2021: 50 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 10
FWCI: 10.86
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: doi.wiley.com/10.1002/tdm_license_1.1 (tdm, 2010 d)
Locations: Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Arrow@dit (Dublin Institute of Technology) (acceptedVersion)
Cork Open Research Archive (University College Cork, Ireland) (submittedVersion)
Topics: Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Mental Health Treatment and Access
Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
Keywords: youth, mental health information, online health information, mental health support, university students, internet use, mental health stigma, access to mental health care, online intervention, psychiatric nurses, depression
MeSH terms: Adolescent, Mental Disorders, Communication, Depressive Disorder, Female, Health Education, Humans, Ireland, Male, Motivation, Psychiatric Nursing, Surveys and Questionnaires, Self Care, Social Support, Software, Students, Internet, Nurse's Role, Young Adult

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Young students' use of the Internet for mental health information and support

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