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Media representation of depression in young people: a corpus-based analysis of Irish newspaper coverage

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 December 2013

G. Tobin  and
F. Lyddy
G. Tobin
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
F. Lyddy*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
*
*Address for correspondence: F. Lyddy, Senior Lecturer, Ph.D., CPsychol, Department of Psychology, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Objectives

Newspaper media are an important source of information regarding mental health and have a significant influence on people’s awareness of, and decision making around, mental health issues. Depression in young people has seen increasing media attention in recent years, but few studies have examined media representation of mental health, specifically in young people. The current study used a quantitative approach to examine the words used in reports concerning depression in young people, in Irish broadsheets, published between 2007 and 2011.

Method

A sample of 269 texts, containing 176 223 words, was collected from three Irish broadsheet newspapers, using the search terms ‘depression’ or ‘depressed’ or ‘mental health’ and ‘youth’ or ‘young people’. A corpus-based approach was used to examine word frequencies, clusters and keywords.

Results

The analysis identified textual patterns, suggesting recurring associations between youth depression and suicide, and, to a lesser extent, alcohol use and bullying. Keywords relating to emotional distress and symptoms of depression were less frequent and sometimes associated with constructions inferring lack of agency (such as ‘suffering from’). A focus on the role of the parents was also evident. Of the professions mentioned, psychiatrists were referred to most often.

Conclusions

The analysis suggests that media coverage of depression in young people accurately reflects concerns reported in surveys by young people, but provides less information that might help in recognising depression in a young person.

Keywords

Depressionmediamental healthnewspapersyoung people
Type
Original Research
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 31 , Issue 1 , March 2014 , pp. 21 - 30
Copyright
Copyright © College of Psychiatrists of Ireland 2013 

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