The British Journal of Psychiatry (2006) 189: 273-277. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.105.017319
© 2006 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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Internet information-seeking in mental health

Population survey

John Powell, MA, MB BChir, MSc, PhD, MRCPsych, MFPHM

Health Sciences Research Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry

Aileen Clarke, BA, BM BCh, MD, MSc, MRCGP, FFPHM

Public Health & Policy Research Unit, Institute of Community Health Sciences, Barts and The London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London, UK

Correspondence: Dr John Powell, Health Sciences Research Institute, Medical School Building, Gibbet Hill Campus, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK. Email: john.powell{at}warwick.ac.uk

Declaration of interest None.

Funding detailed in Acknowledgement.

Background A major use of the of the internet is for health information-seeking. There has been little research into its use in relation to mental health.

Aims To investigate the prevalence of internet use for mental health information-seeking and its relative importance as a mental health information source.

Method General population survey. Questions covered internet use, past psychiatric history and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire.

Results Eighteen per cent of all internet users had used the internet for information related to mental health. The prevalence was higher among those with a past history of mental health problems and those with current psychological distress. Only 12% of respondents selected the internet as one of the three most accurate sources of information, compared with 24% who responded that it was one of the three sources they would use.

Conclusions The internet has a significant role in mental health information-seeking. The internet is used more than it is trusted.


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