Improving Mental Health Literacy: a Single-Subject Design Experiment Examining the Effects of Text Messaging on Adolescent Mental Health Literacy

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to determine the feasibility of delivering a text-based mental health literacy intervention for adolescent children who have family members with mental illness. The effectiveness of the text message intervention was measured using a single subject, multiple baseline study design. Each participant received three text messages per week for a total of 6 weeks, containing information regarding mental illness, managing crisis, resources, stigma, and assertiveness. The subjects were evaluated using qualitative and quantitative measures at multiple periods throughout the study. Assessments utilized include: Schizophrenia Vignette quiz developed by Jorm et. al. (1997), Perceived Stress Scale-14(PSS-14) (Cohen et. al., 1983) , 10-point Likert Scale to measure the quality of the relationship with their loved one, and the Weekly Check-In Script. All 3 participants reported decreased perceived stress, improved or no change in relationship quality, and changes in perceived causes of and treatment for mental illness.