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Adolescents’ Views on Seeking Help for Emotional and Behavioral Problems: A Focus Group Study

Author

Listed:
  • Suzanne J. van den Toren

    (Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Amy van Grieken

    (Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Marjolein Lugtenberg

    (Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Mirte Boelens

    (Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Hein Raat

    (Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

Abstract

This study aimed to get insight into adolescents’ views on help-seeking for emotional and behavioral problems. Fourteen focus groups were conducted. Two vignettes, depicting one healthy adolescent with few issues and one adolescent with severe psychosocial problems, were used to structure the focus groups. The focus groups were framed within a youth help-seeking model. Adolescents (mean age of 15.0 years) generally reported seeking help from friends or the internet for mild issues and from a person they trust like a parent or school mentor, for more severe problems. Adolescents correctly recognized the issues in vignette one as surmountable and the problems in vignette two as severe. A bond of trust with a help source was regarded as the main facilitator for the decision to seek help. Adolescents reported a preference for help sources who clearly displayed their expertise for the issue at hand and for informal help-sources, particularly friends.

Suggested Citation

  • Suzanne J. van den Toren & Amy van Grieken & Marjolein Lugtenberg & Mirte Boelens & Hein Raat, 2019. "Adolescents’ Views on Seeking Help for Emotional and Behavioral Problems: A Focus Group Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2019:i:1:p:191-:d:302425
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rosemarie Wieske & Marianne Nijnuis & Bettie Carmiggelt & Margreet Wagenaar-Fischer & Magda Boere-Boonekamp, 2012. "Preventive youth health care in 11 European countries: an exploratory analysis," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 57(3), pages 637-641, June.
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