Online Communication and Youth Mental Health

Young people aged 12-29 are at an increased risk of developing mental health difficulties due to various developmental, psychosocial, and contextual changes. More recently, many have linked the rise in mental health issues among this age group to increased digital technology use. However, these technologies also offer protective benefits, such as facilitating friendships and providing access to mental health support. This research examines the potential protective effects of digital technologies and youth mental health. Study 1 investigates the bidirectional associations between interactive communication and passive social media engagement, and youth mental health outcomes using a longitudinal within-person approach. Results indicate that passive engagement is not associated with mental health over time, while active communication is linked to reduced mental health difficulties, albeit inconsistently and in one direction. Study 2 describes a systematic review of the international literature on online synchronous chat-based counselling for youth mental health, examining their design characteristics, therapeutic components, post-intervention acceptance, and effectiveness in relation to youth mental health and wellbeing outcomes. Findings from N = 18 studies reveal significant variability in service design and outcome measurements, with mixed effectiveness for these supports. However, findings also reveal that young people generally find these services acceptable. Study 3 focuses on young people using online chat counselling in an Irish context, finding that attendees experience higher psychological distress than those in traditional mental health services. Most participants are female, attend only one session, and present multiple and complex mental health issues. Study 4 builds on studies 2 and 3 and presents the co-design of an evaluability assessment for online chat-based counselling interventions in collaboration with youth mental health service staff. Through two workshops aimed at building a programme theory, this research clarifies how these interventions operate in practice, their proposed mechanisms of change, outcomes, and real-world impact. In line with the aims of the present evaluability assessment, this study provides a series of recommendations for evaluation and research in light of programme theory findings. Collectively, the findings from this research provide insights into the benefits of digital technologies and supports for youth mental health.