Young adults with mental health conditions and social networking websites: Seeking tools to build community.
Abstract
Objective This study examined ways that young adults with mental illnesses (1) currently use social networking; and (2) how they would like to use a social networking site tailored for them. The authors examined differences between those with mental health conditions and those without. Methods An online survey was administered by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to 274 participants; of those, 207 reported being between 18 and 24 years old. The survey included questions about current social networking use, the key resources respondents believed young adults living with mental illness need, and the essential components that should be included in a social networking site specifically tailored to young adults living with mental illness. Pearson Chi-square analyses examined the differences between those who reported having a mental illness and those who did not. Results Results indicate that almost all (94%) participants with mental illnesses currently use social networking sites. Individuals living with a mental illness are more likely than those not living with a mental illness to report engaging in various social networking activities that promote connectivity and making online friends. Individuals living with mental illnesses are also more likely to report wanting resources on independent living skills and overcoming social isolation available on a social networking site. Conclusions and implications for practice Young adults living with mental illnesses are curr…
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In another study of young adults with serious mental illness, most indicated that they used social media to help feel less isolated.
“In another study of young adults with serious mental illness, most indicated that they used social media to help feel less isolated (Gowen et al., 2012).”
From Social Media and Mental Health: Benefits, Risks, and Opportunities for Research and Practice (2020) · cites this paper as Gowen et al., 2012
Individuals with serious mental disorders and young adults with mental illness appear to form online relationships and connect with others on social media as often as social media users from the general population.
“Studies have found that individuals with serious mental disorders (Spinzy, Nitzan, Becker, Bloch, & Fennig, 2012) as well as young adults with mental illness (Gowen, Deschaine, Gruttadara, & Markey, 2012) appear to form online relationships and connect with others on social media as often as social media users from the general population.”
From Social Media and Mental Health: Benefits, Risks, and Opportunities for Research and Practice (2020) · cites this paper as Gowen, Deschaine, Gruttadara, & Markey, 2012
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References 15 · Cited by 177
- Authors
- Gowen, K., Deschaine, M., Gruttadara, D., & Markey, D.
- Affiliations
- Portland State University (US)
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (US)
- Venue
- Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal
- Published
- 2012
- Volume
- 35
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 245-250
- ISSN
- 1095-158X (ISSN-L)
- 1559-3126
- OpenAlex
- W2315409615
- Cited by
- 177
- References
- 15
- Citations by year
- 2026: 12 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 4
- FWCI
- 28.39
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- US Department of Education
- US Department of Health and Human Services (H133B090019)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mental Health and Patient Involvement
- Keywords
- young adults, mental illness, social networking sites, online community building, social isolation, independent living skills, online friendship, online safety, mental health resources
- MeSH terms
- Mental Disorders, Counseling, Data Collection, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Mental Health, Social Isolation, Social Support, Chi-Square Distribution, Persons with Intellectual Disabilities, Internet, Young Adult, Emotional Intelligence, Independent Living, Information Seeking Behavior, Social Networking
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