Involvement of adolescent representatives and coresearchers in mental health research: Experiences from a research project

Abstract

Introduction: In spite of adolescents' rights to be involved in decisions that concern their health and life, limited research has been published reporting on their involvement in mental health research. Therefore, we aim to present experiences and reflections based on the involvement of adolescents in mental health research, to describe the collaborative relationship between researchers and coresearchers, including the values that underpin their collaboration.Methods: An autoethnographic approach was used, combined with group reflections. The process was jointly developed, carried out and analysed by adolescent coresearchers and the project's lead researcher over a period of 2 years. The article is jointly authored by the researcher and the ten coresearchers. Results: Six themes were developed to describe our collaborative relationship, resulting in the involvement of adolescents in decisions about research priorities; in planning and carrying out the research; through to analysis, dissemination and communication of results. The themes include: (1) Commitment motivated by altruism, personal interests and a common purpose; (2) Inclusiveness and support to reduce social uncertainty and strengthen collaboration; (3) Reduced power differentials while ensuring clarity of roles and tasks; (4) Diversity in representation to expand the perspectives of 'the adolescent voice'; (5) Self-determinationsupporting adolescents' involvement in decision-making processes; and (6) Flexible and systematic project management. The themes describe the collaboration, the underlying values and motives, the challenges faced and how they were overcome.

Characteristics of the ideal healthcare services to meet adolescents' mental health needs: A qualitative study of adolescents' perspectives

“…This included some training workshops to support their research skills. Three coresearchers had previously planned and carried out cross‐sectional surveys in youth mental health, two were coauthors of a systematic review 12 and all coresearchers were coauthors of a qualitative study, where their contributions to adolescent mental health research have been further described 28 . Moreover, the coresearchers increased their academic writing and research skills as part of their academic education, which some started in 2018 and others in 2020.…”

“…The coresearchers and the lead researcher have worked closely together since 2017. 28 This has included over 100 meetings with discussions focusing on youth mental health, service use, mental health research and research methods. This included some training workshops to support their research skills.…”

“…health, which has previously been described in Health Expectations. 28 The coresearchers were invited to provide their perspectives on research priorities since project start. Within the first year, they also initiated, planned and carried out parts of the research, supported by the lead researcher.…”

“…It is run by SHARE—Centre for Resilience in Healthcare , which was established in 2017 at the Faculty of Health Sciences , University of Stavanger , Norway. Patient and Stakeholder Involvement is one of SHARE's central strategic research priorities and the InvolveMENT project focuses on adolescent mental health, which has previously been described in Health Expectations 28 . The coresearchers were invited to provide their perspectives on research priorities since project start.…”

“…Patient and Stakeholder Involvement is one of SHARE's central strategic research priorities and the InvolveMENT project focuses on adolescent mental health, which has previously been described in Health Expectations . 28 The coresearchers were invited to provide their perspectives on research priorities since project start. Within the first year, they also initiated, planned and carried out parts of the research, supported by the lead researcher.…”