Maragh-Bass Allysha C, Dinh Nhi, Cooney Grace, Aikhuele Ese, Chandler Rasheeta, Hughes Royal, Jones Zoe, Thomas Stephen, Soberano Zachary R, Stocks Jacob B, Budhwani Henna, Hightow-Weidman Lisa B, Lorenzetti Lara
Evidence and Research for Action, FHI 360, Durham, NC, USA.
Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
Mhealth. 2025 Jul 14;11:42. doi: 10.21037/mhealth-24-65. eCollection 2025.
Digital storytelling (DST) encourages participants to use technology to create narratives and share personal experiences. Although DST can amplify the voices of groups experiencing marginalization, it is unclear how DST has been used among young adults of color. We also lack a comprehensive understanding of DST's role in addressing health-related outcomes. We conducted a systematic review to examine the role of DST in influencing health-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among young adults of color.
We searched three databases for peer-reviewed literature between January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2023, for references examining DST methods among young adults (aged 18-39 years) of color that included at least one health-related outcome. We used a two-stage review process to assess eligibility. Data were analyzed by DST type and health outcome.
From 877 references, we identified 33 eligible articles, most of which were from Canada and the USA. Studies addressed infectious diseases (n=13), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); mental health issues (n=10); maternal and reproductive health (n=5); and behavioral or other health themes (n=5). Across health areas, studies were divided by DST type: media creation (e.g., participants created digital stories) or media consumption (e.g., participants or other community members were exposed to stories). Studies using media creation often use qualitative methods to identify social determinants of health or reveal complex health-related issues. Studies using media consumption often used quantitative methods to measure knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Across health topics, DST demonstrated some effect in changing health knowledge and attitudes, but mixed results in terms of shifting health behaviors.
DST can amplify the voices of young adults of color, especially regarding complex issues, such as managing HIV or mental health issues. Media creation studies explored lived experiences, while media consumption studies showed that DST was effective at improving knowledge and attitudes related to certain health issues. More randomized controlled trials may be necessary to better assess the effect of DST interventions on modifying health behaviors. Researchers should also consider the value of DST beyond health outcomes intended to be measured, including the ability to empower young adults of color to be more fully engaged throughout the research process.
数字叙事（DST）鼓励参与者利用技术创作故事并分享个人经历。尽管数字叙事能够放大边缘化群体的声音，但目前尚不清楚它在有色人种青年中是如何被运用的。我们也缺乏对数字叙事在改善健康相关结果方面作用的全面理解。我们进行了一项系统综述，以探究数字叙事在影响有色人种青年的健康相关知识、态度和行为方面的作用。
我们在三个数据库中检索了2000年1月1日至2023年12月31日期间的同行评审文献，以查找关于有色人种青年（年龄在18 - 39岁之间）中数字叙事方法的参考文献，这些文献至少包含一项与健康相关的结果。我们采用两阶段评审过程来评估文献的 eligibility。数据按数字叙事类型和健康结果进行分析。
从877篇参考文献中，我们确定了33篇符合条件的文章，其中大部分来自加拿大和美国。研究涉及传染病（n = 13），包括人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）；心理健康问题（n = 10）；孕产妇和生殖健康（n = 5）；以及行为或其他健康主题（n = 5）。在各个健康领域，研究按数字叙事类型划分：媒体创作（例如，参与者创作数字故事）或媒体消费（例如，参与者或其他社区成员接触故事）。使用媒体创作的研究通常采用定性方法来确定健康的社会决定因素或揭示复杂的健康相关问题。使用媒体消费的研究通常采用定量方法来衡量知识、态度和行为。在各个健康主题中，数字叙事在改变健康知识和态度方面显示出一定效果，但在改变健康行为方面结果不一。
数字叙事能够放大有色人种青年的声音，尤其是在诸如管理HIV或心理健康问题等复杂问题上。媒体创作研究探索了生活经历，而媒体消费研究表明数字叙事在改善与某些健康问题相关的知识和态度方面是有效的。可能需要更多的随机对照试验来更好地评估数字叙事干预对改变健康行为的效果。研究人员还应考虑数字叙事在预期测量的健康结果之外的价值，包括使有色人种青年在整个研究过程中更充分参与的能力。
