Online health promotion, early identification of difficulties, and help seeking in young people.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the use and impact of a dedicated health information Web site for adolescents.


METHODS
Five hundred fifty-eight (27.2%) of all students in grades 7 through 12 from 4 schools logged onto the Web site; 1775 (86.4%) of all students in these grades completed a year-end health survey, with 455 (81.5%) of the students who used the Web site completing the survey. Dependent variables were help seeking and satisfaction ratings plus visits to specific Web site sections. Predictor variables were demographic characteristics, mental health, and psychosocial difficulties assessed at years' end.


RESULTS
Students logged on >11,000 times during the year. Female students, students wanting professional help, those scoring higher on depressive vulnerability measures, and students reporting more severe mood problems were related to logging on frequently over longer periods of time, as well as viewing information sheets, posting and viewing questions and answers, and completing the symptom screen. Students accessing the Web site from 1 to 7 A.M. reported higher levels of distress than did students who accessed the Web site at other times of the day. Visits to the Web site were positively associated with visits to school health centers and guidance counselors and referrals to a health professional.


CONCLUSIONS
Results are consistent with a health-needs model of utilization of this Internet-based health resource. A school-based health information Web site holds significant promise for health promotion and early self-identification for emotional problems.
Santor
Darcy A
DA
Dr. Santor is with the School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, and the Centre for Excellence in Child and Youth Mental Health at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario; Dr. Poulin is with the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology at Dalhousie University; Dr. LeBlanc is with the Departments of Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Community Health and Epidemiology at Dalhousie University; and Dr. Kusumakar is with the Department of Psychiatry at Dalhousie University, and Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development.. Electronic address: dsantor@uottawa.ca.
Poulin
Christiane
C
Dr. Santor is with the School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, and the Centre for Excellence in Child and Youth Mental Health at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario; Dr. Poulin is with the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology at Dalhousie University; Dr. LeBlanc is with the Departments of Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Community Health and Epidemiology at Dalhousie University; and Dr. Kusumakar is with the Department of Psychiatry at Dalhousie University, and Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development.
LeBLANC
John C
JC
Dr. Santor is with the School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, and the Centre for Excellence in Child and Youth Mental Health at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario; Dr. Poulin is with the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology at Dalhousie University; Dr. LeBlanc is with the Departments of Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Community Health and Epidemiology at Dalhousie University; and Dr. Kusumakar is with the Department of Psychiatry at Dalhousie University, and Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development.
Kusumakar
Vivek
V
Dr. Santor is with the School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, and the Centre for Excellence in Child and Youth Mental Health at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario; Dr. Poulin is with the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology at Dalhousie University; Dr. LeBlanc is with the Departments of Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Community Health and Epidemiology at Dalhousie University; and Dr. Kusumakar is with the Department of Psychiatry at Dalhousie University, and Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*