Internet use for mental health information and support among European university students: The e-MentH project. (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Montagni, Ilaria; Donisi, Valeria; Tedeschi, Federico; Parizot, Isabelle; Motrico, Emma; Horgan, Aine
• Is Part Of: Digital health. Volume 2(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: Internet -- mental health -- health literacy -- online information -- online support -- university students -- cross-country comparison; Medical care -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Medical informatics -- Periodicals; 362.10285
• DOI: 10.1177/2055207616653845
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2055-2076

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to describe the socio-demographic variables associated with the use of the Internet for mental health information-seeking by European university students, including participants' trust in the Internet, and their use of the Internet in comparison to traditional formal mental health care. A cross-sectional anonymous 25-item survey was conducted with 2466 students in three courses (Computer Science, Law, Nursing) from four European universities (France, Ireland, Italy, Spain). Participants were equally distributed in all four countries; they were mostly females (57.5%), with a mean age of 21.6 years. Overall, female, French and Nursing students were more likely to look for mental health information. The majority (69.7%) of students reported that information about mental health on the Internet was unreliable. Among all participants, Spanish students reported a higher trust in web content. The findings suggest that university students frequently use the Internet for mental health information-seeking but not for mental health support. Furthermore, they do not entirely trust the Internet for mental health-related issues. This should be considered in planning Internet-based programmes for mental health promotion and prevention in university students.