Knowing how to ask about digital culture in youth mental health care: A co-designed tool

Knowing how to ask about digital culture in youth mental health care: A co-designed tool | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 26 February 2026 V1 Latest version Share on Knowing how to ask about digital culture in youth mental health care: A co-designed tool Authors : Vincent Paquin [email protected] , Rebecca Jiang , Jai Shah , Eric Jarvis , Elizabeth Nickrenz , Manuela Ferrari , and Melissa Park Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.177208396.65399464/v1 147 views 72 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Background: With the digital cultures that youth are exposed to and participating in come potential risk and protective factors for their mental health. However, despite clear need there is a lack of guidance to help mental health professionals evaluate the role of social media, artificial intelligence, and other technologies in young people’s mental health. Aims: To co-design with young people the Digital Culture Interview, an interview tool to support the clinical assessment of digital cultural factors in mental health care. Method: We recruited a diverse group of 12 participants aged 16 to 35 years old (mean age 22 years) from outpatient mental health clinics in Montreal, Canada. Using the nominal group technique, they identified topics they found most relevant for exploring in a clinical assessment the experiences and practices involving digital technologies. Based on the topics that received the most votes from participants, we co-developed a list of interview questions and written guidance for their administration. Results: Participants identified and ranked 48 themes. Drawing from these, 14 questions were developed for inclusion in the Digital Culture Interview, covering four topics: identity and worldview, negative experiences online, coping, and understanding of mental health. Participants emphasized that exploring digital culture in mental health care requires patients’ trust and a baseline of knowledge. If done sensitively, this may enhance the patient-clinician alliance and improve mutual understanding. Conclusions: The Digital Culture Interview has the potential to enhance rapport and reveal risk and protective factors that are salient to and actionable in mental health care. Supplementary Material File (dci paper manuscript.docx) Download 112.63 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 26 February 2026 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords digital technologies participatory research social media video games youth mental health Authors Affiliations Vincent Paquin [email protected] McGill University Department of Psychiatry View all articles by this author Rebecca Jiang McGill University Department of Psychiatry View all articles by this author Jai Shah McGill University Department of Psychiatry View all articles by this author Eric Jarvis McGill University Department of Psychiatry View all articles by this author Elizabeth Nickrenz Duquesne University Department of Psychology View all articles by this author Manuela Ferrari McGill University Department of Psychiatry View all articles by this author Melissa Park McGill University View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 147 views 72 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Vincent Paquin, Rebecca Jiang, Jai Shah, et al. Knowing how to ask about digital culture in youth mental health care: A co-designed tool. Authorea . 26 February 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.177208396.65399464/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . 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