Debenham Jennifer, Birrell Louise, Newton Nicola C, Devine Emma K, Champion Katrina E, Stapinski Lexine A, Kershaw Stephanie, Arunogiri Shalini, Teesson Maree, Stockings Emily
The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
Health Promot J Austr. 2025 Jan;36(1):e874. doi: 10.1002/hpja.874. Epub 2024 May 26.
Substance use and mental illness remain critical issues for young Australians, however, engagement with evidence-based health resources is challenging among this age group. This study aimed to develop engaging, useful digital health resources, underpinned by neuroscience principles, to build awareness of the harms of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and concurrent alcohol and antidepressant use.
A mixed-methods approach was adopted to co-design two evidence-based videos resources. The resources were co-designed with the Matilda Centre's Youth Advisory Board Centre's Youth Advisory Board through a series focus groups and individual feedback reviews. Young people residing in New South Wales were then invited to complete a survey to evaluate the usefulness, relatability and impact on perceived harms associated with each substance pre- and post-viewing resources.
A total of 100 participants completed the survey (mean age = 21.5 years, SD = 2.77, 42% Female, 2% Non-binary). The animated videos were well received, with the large majority (91% and 87% respectively) of participants rating them 'excellent' or 'very good'. After viewing the videos, there was a significant increase in the perception of harm associated with e-cigarette use, monthly (t(99) = 2.76, p = .003), weekly (t(99) = 4.82, p < .001) and daily (t(99) = 4.92, p < .001), and consuming alcohol whilst taking antidepressants both weekly (t(100) = 2.93, p = .004) and daily (t(100) = 3.13, p = .002).
This study describes a successful co-design process demonstrating how meaningful involvement of young people, alongside traditional research methods, can produce substance use prevention resources that are useful, engaging and increase knowledge of harms among young people. SO WHAT?: To achieve meaningful public health impact researchers, experts and digital creators can work together to co-create substance use educational materials that are engaging, well-liked, while imparting important health knowledge.
物质使用和精神疾病仍然是澳大利亚年轻人面临的关键问题，然而，在这个年龄组中，参与基于证据的健康资源活动具有挑战性。本研究旨在开发引人入胜、有用的数字健康资源，以神经科学原理为基础，提高对电子烟危害以及同时使用酒精和抗抑郁药危害的认识。
采用混合方法共同设计两个基于证据的视频资源。这些资源是通过一系列焦点小组和个人反馈评审与玛蒂尔达中心青年咨询委员会共同设计的。然后邀请居住在新南威尔士州的年轻人完成一项调查，以评估这些资源在观看前后对每种物质相关危害的有用性、相关性和认知影响。
共有100名参与者完成了调查（平均年龄 = 21.5岁，标准差 = 2.77，42%为女性，2%为非二元性别）。动画视频很受欢迎，绝大多数参与者（分别为91%和87%）将其评为“优秀”或“非常好”。观看视频后，与使用电子烟相关的危害认知有显著增加，包括每月（t(99) = 2.76，p = 0.003）、每周（t(99) = 4.82，p < 0.001）和每天（t(99) = 4.92，p < 0.001），以及在服用抗抑郁药时每周（t(100) = 2.93，p = 0.004）和每天（t(100) = 3.13，p = 0.002）饮酒的危害认知。
本研究描述了一个成功的共同设计过程，展示了年轻人的有意义参与与传统研究方法相结合，如何能够产生有用、引人入胜且能增加年轻人对危害认识的物质使用预防资源。那么又如何呢？：为了实现有意义的公共卫生影响，研究人员、专家和数字创作者可以共同努力，共同创建引人入胜、广受欢迎且能传授重要健康知识的物质使用教育材料。
