An Evaluation of "Reach Out Central": An Online Gaming Program for Supporting the Mental Health of Young People

Autor/inn/en	Shandley, Kerrie; Austin, David; Klein, Britt; Kyrios, Michael
Titel	An Evaluation of "Reach Out Central": An Online Gaming Program for Supporting the Mental Health of Young People
Quelle	In: Health Education Research, 25 (2010) 4, S.563-574 (12 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0268-1153
DOI	10.1093/her/cyq002
Schlagwörter	Early Intervention; Life Satisfaction; Females; Mental Health; Drinking; Coping; Internet; Video Games; Emotional Disturbances; Literacy; Resilience (Psychology); Help Seeking; Prevention; Mental Disorders + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Lebensvollendung; Weibliches Geschlecht; Psychohygiene; Trinken; Bewältigung; Video game; Videospiel; Videospiele; Gefühlsstörung; Alphabetisierung; Schreib- und Lesefähigkeit; Help-seeking behavior; Help-seeking behaviour; Hilfe suchendes Verhalten; Prävention; Vorbeugung; Mental illness; Geisteskrankheit
Abstract	The objective of this study was to conduct an evaluation of Reach Out Central (ROC), an online gaming program designed to support the mental health of people aged 16-25. The evaluation sought to determine the benefit of playing ROC on alcohol use, use of coping strategies, psychological distress, resilience and satisfaction with life. Changes in mental health literacy, mental health stigma and willingness to seek help and program satisfaction were also investigated. A single group (N = 266) quasi-experimental repeated measures (pre-, post-program, 2-month follow-up) design was employed. The results demonstrated positive improvements across all outcome measures for females; however, a non-significant worsening effect was observed for males on seeking support, avoidance and resilience. Improvements for both genders were observed on mental health literacy and help-seeking. However, literacy levels and help-seeking were significantly higher, and stigma significantly lower for females. Program satisfaction ratings were high irrespective of gender. Although some inconsistencies between genders were noted, ROC appears to enhance protective factors for the prevention or early intervention of mental health disorders. The results of this study need to be viewed with its limitations in mind, specifically, the use of an open trial methodology and the small number of male participants. (Contains 4 tables.) (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10