Psykisk hälsa, psykisk ohälsa och relaterat stigma : En kvalitativ studie utifrån ungdomars perspektiv

Sammanfattning: Adolescent mental health problems are a well-recognized and frequently discussed societal problem in Sweden. However, few studies concerning adolescents’ own views on mental health concepts and associated stigma have been conducted. This thesis, including two sub-studies, investigated Swedish adolescents’ views of mental health concepts, mental health problems and perceptions about stigma. A total of 32 adolescents on the Swedish island Gotland were interviewed either in focus groups or individually.In sub-study I on mental health concepts, adolescents described mental well-being as a condition with emotional well-being and good psychological and social function, which they termed to feel well. Mental health problems were described as a spectrum of conditions, caused by several factors. All kinds of mental health problems were termed to feel unwell or to not feel well. Both the presence of mental well-being and symptoms of mental health problems were suggested to be considered when assessing young peoples’ mental health.Sub-study II explored adolescents’ perceptions of the prevalence of mental health problems and related stigma among young people. The adolescents perceived mental health problems as a natural part of their lives and explained the increase by current living condition factors, e.g. pressure related to school or social media and improved openness about mental health problems. Stigmatisation of young people with mental health problems were recognised to be caused by prejudice, triggered by lack of knowledge. The adolescents wished for a future without stereotypic gender norms and stigma of mental health problems.In conclusion, findings of the thesis suggest that adolescents’ descriptions of mental health concepts encompass a broad range of conditions, from normal challenges that can cause distress to severe disabling mental health problems. Furthermore, adolescents acknowledge the simultaneous presence of mental wellbeing and mental health problems, as well as stigma consisting of negative preconceptions, stereotyping and discrimination. The results highlight that adolescents have a complex contextual understanding of mental health problems, but use the terms to feel well or unwell, of which adults need to be aware. Additionally, taking rumour spreading seriously and actively addressing stereotypic gender norms could be important to improve adolescents’ mental health.