Insights Into Needs and Preferences for Mental Health Support on Social Media and Through Mobile Apps Among Black Male University Students: Exploratory Qualitative Study

• DOI: 10.2196/38716
• Publication Date: 2022-07-26T13:32:20Z
• Authors: Kofoworola D A Wi...; Clarisa Wijaya; Caitlin A Stamatis; Gabriel Abbott; Emily G Lattie
• Keywords: Thematic Analysis; Mobile phone

Black college-aged men are less likely than their peers to use formal, therapeutic in-person services for mental health concerns. As the of mobile technologies and social media platforms is steadily increasing, it important conduct work that examines future utility digital tools improve access uptake in college.The aim this study was identify understand college-attending men's needs preferences using stress symptom management.Interviews were conducted with male students (N=11) from 2 racially diverse universities Midwestern United States. Participants asked questions related current interest mobile-based apps A thematic analysis conducted.Four themes emerged data: relief strategies, technology-based support (subthemes: media-based support), resource information dissemination considerations information-learning expectations information-sharing behaviors), design (subtheme: relatability representation). interested concerns needs, example, phone notifications visual-based advertisements promote awareness. Relatability context representation emphasized as a key factor participants tools. Examples methods increasing included having disseminated by minority-serving organizations including components explicitly portraying engaging strategies. The also discussed wanting receive recommendations have been proven successful, particularly men.The findings provide insights into geared toward developing messaging interventions young men.