Ethnographic research explores how teenage girls view mental health influencers’ content

Researchers from Linköping University in Sweden have published new research looking at how teenage girls make meaning of the mental health content provided by popular online influencers. The research, published in the journal Childhood, was inspired by what the authors describe as the “pressing issue” of how children and young people’s health and well-being are affected by social media. While existing research had measured the effects of social media on aspects of young people’s lives, including sleep and body image, this study focuses on “meaning-making” (the complex relational processes by which participants make sense of content). The research included in-depth interviews with 44 girls aged 16-17, detailed analysis of the content published by influencers cited in the interviews, and further interviews with 38 of the girls from the first stage. The research found that participants often considered the influencers’ mental health stories to be relatable and meaningful, but many also found the advice to be simplistic and generalised. While influencers’ mental health messages are seen as socially valuable, although participants recognised such advice was non-professional, they were likely to listen to influencers’ lived medical experiences. The research participants were critical of the ‘commodification’ of mental health, of the potential for imitation of harmful behaviours and of the sometimes contradictory narratives, which were viewed as inauthentic and confusing. The researchers identified tension in participants’ understandings of the importance of speaking out as a way to normalise mental health challenges, while avoiding feeling compelled to share. The research is available here.