Dart Research Database: the Definitive Bibliography of Scholarship on Journalism and Trauma

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Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

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1. Mattias Liljeqvist and Sara Kling, Malin Hallén & Henrika Jormfeldt "Swedish Mental Health Nurses’ Experiences of Portrayals of Mental Illness in Public Media" News reporting about mental illness lack perspectives of the mentally ill themselves and it is almost exclusively psychiatrists who are accessed when healthcare staff is consulted. The perspective of mental health nurses might contribute to the public understanding of mental illness. The purpose of this study was to describe mental health nurses’ experiences of how mental illness is portrayed in media. Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with qualified mental health nurses. A qualitative content analysis resulted in three categories: Negative portrayals of mental illness, Inconclusive images of mental illness and Biased dissemination of different perspectives. The conclusion of this study is that mental health nurses experience media portrayals of mental illness as negative and misleading with too much emphasis on the medical perspective while a holistic mental health nursing perspective is heavily obscured. Mental health nurses need to take a more prominent role in public reporting on mental health to resolve the current lack of relevant facts regarding mental illness. Further research is needed regarding portrayals of mental illness in social media and how the current lack of perspectives affects public perceptions of mental illness. In addition, further studies regarding the viewpoints of journalists reporting on mental illness are required. Issues in Mental Health Nursing 2019 Taylor & Francis . Quasi-experimental research General psychology journal NA Adult Framing of traumatic coverage Other NA NA NA Add
2. Victoria Carmichael and Gavin Adamson, Kathleen C. Sitter and Rob Whitley "Media coverage of mental illness: a comparison of citizen journalism vs. professional journalism portrayals" Background: Evidence suggests that mainstream media coverage of mental illness tends to focus on factors such as crime and violence. Thus, mental health advocates have argued that alternative portrayals are necessary to reduce stigma. Aim: The aim of this paper is to compare the tone and content of mainstream TV coverage of mental illness with educational videos produced by citizen journalists with mental illness. Methods: We trained three groups of people with mental illness in citizen journalism and participatory video. These groups then produced a series of educational videos about mental illness (n¼26). Simultaneously, we systematically collected TV clips about mental illness from a major Canadian TV station (n¼26). We then compared the tone and content of citizen journalism videos vs. TV clips using content analysis techniques. Results: The citizen journalist videos tended to be more positive and hopeful. For example, over 60% of the citizen journalism videos focused on recovery, compared to 27% of the TV clips. Conversely, over 40% of the TV clips focused on crime, violence or legal issues, in comparison to only 23% of the citizen journalism videos. Conclusion: Citizen journalism by people with mental illness has the potential to educate the public and reduce stigma. JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH Vol. 28 2019 Taylor & Francis p. 520-256. Content Analysis General psychology journal NA NA Framing of traumatic coverage Other Television NA NA NA Add
3. Burns, Shawn and Amy Tapsell, Dana Perlman, Christopher Patterson, and Lorna Moxham "Stigma in the media: Investigating journalism students attitudes towards mental illness" Given the profound role that media play in public opinion, there exists an ongoing necessity to understand the portrayal of mental illness by journalists. There is a plethora of studies that have examined how mental illness is portrayed in the media, but few studies have sought to understand what journalist opinions about mental illness are, and none could be found regarding journalism students’ opinions. This study aimed to bridge this gap by examining journalism student’s attitudes towards mental illness using the Social Distance Scale (SDS). This study adheres to STROBE guidelines for cross-sectional studies. One hundred and seventy-two undergraduate journalism students (n = 172) completed the SDS with findings suggesting that students had moderate stigmatizing attitudes, with varying degrees of stigma present depending on the social context. Positively framed reporting and constructive media coverage surrounding mental illness may be improved by shared communication and education with health professionals who specialize in mental health: mental health nurses. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing Vol. 31 2022 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd. p. 104–110. Quasi-experimental research Other journal Non-specific/general Adult Other NA NA NA NA Add
4. Anna M. Ross and Amy J. Morgan, Alexandra Wake, Anthony F. Jorm, Nicola J. Reavley "Pilot trial of a media intervention with journalism students on news reporting of mental illness in the context of violence and crime" Issue addressed: News reports linking mental illness to violent crime are among the most stigmatizing portrayals. These portrayals can perpetuate stereotypes of dangerousness, negatively influencing public attitudes and having a harmful impact on people with lived experience of mental illness. With the aim of improving the quality of news portrayals and mitigating harm, best-practice guidelines for media reporting on mental illness, violence and crime have been developed. To increase understanding of the guidelines’ content, a 1-hour workshop based on the main principles was developed for journalism students. Methods: In this study, the workshop was piloted with a pre and 3-week follow-up evaluation with a cohort of journalism students (n = 29). Results: Three weeks after the workshop, there were significant improvements in attitudes towards severe mental illness, knowledge of best-practice reporting, intentions and confidence to report consistently with the best-practice guidelines and performance on an editing task designed to assess adherence to the guidelines. Belief in dangerousness/ unpredictability reduced markedly, demonstrating that the workshop effectively addressed misinformation about people with severe mental illness being a risk to the public. Conclusions: This pilot trial provides promising initial results and provides a basis for wider implementation and evaluation of media training on this topic. So what: Improved understanding of best-practice media guidelines, as generated through this workshop, has potential to reduce stigmatising news reporting on people with mental illness, and consequently reduce public stigma. Health Promotion Journal of Australia 2021 Wiley . Experimental research General psychology journal Non-specific/general Training of journalists Other NA Advice on training journalists NA Add
5. Madeline Graham and Amy Morgan, Elizabeth Paton, and Anna Ross "Examining the quality of news media reporting of complex mental illness in relation to violent crime in Australia" Purpose: News reporting on mental illness can perpetuate stigma. An understanding of the current picture of such reporting is important to identify areas for improvement. This study investigated the quality of Australian news media coverage of complex mental illness in the context of crime and violence over a 2-year period, prior to the release of new media guidelines. Methods: This research utilised a systematic search of Australian news articles that were published between July 2018 and July 2020 and reported on mental illness in relation to violent crime. Researchers developed a Mental Illness and Crime Reporting Quality Framework to determine quality scores for news articles according to 11 relevant factors in media guidelines. An additional 11 characteristics of articles were extracted for further descriptive analysis. Results: One-hundred and twenty-eight Australian news articles met inclusion criteria. The average quality score was 50 (SD=13.91) out of a possible maximum score of 100 (range 11–78). Strengths and weaknesses were identified as some criteria were consistently met, and other criteria were met rarely or not at all. There were emerging trends between quality scores and article characteristics, including publication source, though these analyses were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The findings indicate that Australian news coverage of complex mental illness and violent crime met half of the criteria of reporting guidelines that minimises risk of perpetuating or reinforcing stigma. This demonstrates significant opportunity to improve the overall quality of media reporting on crime and mental illness. Future research should evaluate the impact of the guidelines on the quality of news reporting after their implementation by utilising a similar methodology, using these findings as a baseline measure. International Journal of Social Psychology Vol. 69 2023 2023 Sage p. 2110-2120. Content Analysis General psychology journal Nonsexual crime NA Framing of traumatic coverage Other Print NA NA NA Add
6. Anna M. Ross and Amy J. Morgan, Alexandra Wake, Anthony F. Jorm, Nicola J. Reavley "Pilot trial of a media intervention with journalism students on news reporting of mental illness in the context of violence and crime" Issue addressed: News reports linking mental illness to violent crime are among the most stigmatising portrayals. These portrayals can perpetuate stereotypes of dangerousness, negatively influencing public attitudes and having a harmful impact on people with lived experience of mental illness. With the aim of improving the quality of news portrayals and mitigating harm, best-practice guidelines for media reporting on mental illness, violence and crime have been developed. To increase understanding of the guidelines’ content, a 1-hour workshop based on the main principles was developed for journalism students. Methods: In this study, the workshop was piloted with a pre and 3-week follow-up evaluation with a cohort of journalism students (n = 29). Results: Three weeks after the workshop, there were significant improvements in attitudes towards severe mental illness, knowledge of best-practice reporting, intentions and confidence to report consistently with the best-practice guidelines and performance on an editing task designed to assess adherence to the guidelines. Belief in dangerousness/unpredictability reduced markedly, demonstrating that the workshop effectively addressed misinformation about people with severe mental illness being a risk to the public. Conclusions: This pilot trial provides promising initial results and provides a basis for wider implementation and evaluation of media training on this topic. So what: Improved understanding of best-practice media guidelines, as generated through this workshop, has potential to reduce stigmatising news reporting on people with mental illness, and consequently reduce public stigma. Health Promotion Journal of Australia Vol. 33 2021 2021 Wiley p. 602-613. Quasi-experimental research General psychology journal Nonsexual crime Adult Training of journalists NA NA NA How to teach students to cover trauma Add
7. Hammarlund, Rebecca and Kathleen Crapanzano, Jessica McGovern, et al "Shooter Mental Illness Status and Language Use in Online Articles About Mass Shootings" Studies of a variety of media have found a negative slant in portrayals of individuals with mental illness. These portrayals may contribute to harmful public stigma. As consumers shift focus to online sources of news, it is important to understand whether negative portrayals are also found online. The current study analyzed language use and other coverage choices in online articles (N  811) about mass shooting events as a function of the mental illness status of the shooter. Regression analyses controlling for relevant crime characteristics showed that less angry language was used and more positive details about the shooter were included when the shooter had a mental illness. The number of victim fatalities, location of and motive for the crime, and shooter age were also related to language use and coverage choices. Whereas the current results do not align with prior findings of overtly negative media portrayals of individuals with mental illnesses, it is not clear whether this reflects a modern improvement in media portrayals or whether it is perhaps a more subtle sign of continued bias toward associating mental illness with dangerousness and lack of responsibility for committing violent acts. Future work should focus on the impact of online information sources on public attitudes and stigma toward individuals with mental illness. Stigma and Health Vol. 5 2020 American Psychological Association p. 225-229. Content Analysis General psychology journal Mass violence NA Framing of traumatic coverage Other Internet news NA NA NA Add
8. Anna M. Ross and Amy J. Morgan, Anthony F. Jorm, Nicola J. Reavley "A systematic review of the impact of media reports of severe mental illness on stigma and discrimination, and interventions that aim to mitigate any adverse impact" Purpose This review aims to summarise the evidence on the impact of news media and social media reports of severe mental illness (SMI) on stigma, and interventions that aim to mitigate any adverse impact. Methods A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted in December 2017 to identify studies that report on the impact of media coverage or media interventions on stigma related to schizophrenia, psychosis, bipolar disorder, or mental illness in general. Data were synthesised narratively. Results 12 studies met inclusion criteria; seven explored the impact of news media on stigma towards SMI or general mental illness, two explored the impact of social media, while three evaluated interventions that aimed to mitigate this impact. These studies showed that positive news reports and social media posts are likely to lead to reductions in stigmatizing attitudes and negative reports and social media posts are likely to increase stigmatizing attitudes. There were a limited number of interventions aiming to mitigate the negative impact of news reports of mental illness on stigma; however, these were ineffective. Interventions with media professionals appear to be successful at reducing their stigmatizing attitudes, but can also act to increase both positive and negative reports in the media. Conclusions Given the limited research evidence on the impact of news and social media on stigma towards SMI, and on the effectiveness of interventions aiming to mitigate this impact, further studies of higher quality are needed in this area. Due to mixed findings, interventions with media professionals are also an area of research priority. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology Vol. 54 2019 p. 11-31. Meta-Analysis General psychology journal Other Type of specific news content Other NA Advice on training journalists How to teach students to cover trauma Add
9. O’ Brien, Anne "Reporting on mental health difficulties, mental illness and suicide: Journalists’ accounts of the challenges" Media depictions of mental health difficulties and suicide are an important element in shaping how the public understands the issues and how relevant agencies devise strategies to advocate and reduce stigma. The role of the media in the production and reproduction of stereotypical portrayals of mental health difficulties and suicide has been of concern for a number of decades. However, relatively little research attention has been paid to date to the process through which stories on mental illness and suicide are produced by journalists. This article aims to contribute to that analysis by focusing on Irish journalists’ experiences of and insights into the challenges underpinning reporting on mental health difficulties and suicide. Despite some generic and platform differences, journalists noted that their output was shaped by a number of factors, which included, sensitivity to the topic of suicide; care for families; balancing public and private interests; challenges to reporting facts, finding appropriate sources and meeting the needs of media platforms; interpreting guidelines on reporting and the discovery of the relative absence of mental illness stories. Understanding how journalists deal with these challenges can help them and advocacy agencies to address these challenges and thereby improve the nature of coverage of mental health difficulties and suicide in media output. Journalism Vol. 22 2021 Sage p. 3031-3047. Content Analysis Journalism specific journal suicide Adult Criticisms of coverage NA Print Television Radio broadcast Internet news NA NA NA Add
10. Dietrich, Sandra and Heider, Dirk Matschinger, Herbert Angermeyer, Matthias C. "Influence of Newspaper Reporting on Adolescents' Attitudes Toward People with Mental Illness" Background: Numerous studies have established proof of selective media reporting about the mentally ill, with the majority of the reports focusing almost exclusively on violence and dangerousness. A handful of studies found that there is an association between negative media portrayals and negative attitudes toward people with mental illness. However, empirical evidence of the impact of newspaper reports about mentally ill people on readers' attitudes is very scarce. Aims To examine the impact of a newspaper article linking mentally ill persons with violent crime and the impact of an article providing factual information about schizophrenia on students' attitudes toward people with mental illness. Method: A total of 167 students aged 13-18 years were randomly assigned one of two articles. A period of 1 week before and 3 weeks after reading the newspaper article, they were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire for the assessment of their attitudes toward mentally ill people. Results: Respondents who read the article linking mentally ill persons with violent crime displayed an increased likelihood to describe a mentally ill person as dangerous and violent. Conversely, respondents who read the informative article used terms like 'violent' or 'dangerous' less frequently. The desire for social distance remained virtually unchanged at follow-up in both groups. Conclusion: Two potential approaches to break the unwanted link between negative media reporting and negative attitudes are suggested. First, an appeal to media professionals to report accurate representations of mental illness. And second, an appeal to the adults living and working with adolescents to provide opportunities to discuss and reflect on media contents. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved) (from the journal abstract) Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology Vol. 19 1965 Summer1965 p. 15-18. Quasi-experimental research General psychology journal Non-specific/general Child Framing of traumatic coverage Print Add
11. Betus, Allison E. and Erin M. Kearns and Anthony F. Lemieux "How Perpetrator Identity (Sometimes) Influences Media Framing Attacks as “Terrorism” or “Mental Illness”" Do media frame attacks with Muslim perpetrators as “terrorism” and attacks with White perpetrators as the result of “mental illness”? Despite public speculation and limited academic work with relatively small subsets of cases, there have been no systematic analyses of potential biases in how media frame terrorism. We addressed this gap by examining the text of print news coverage of all terrorist attacks in the United States between 2006 and 2015. Controlling for fatalities, affiliation with a group, and existing mental illness, the odds that an article references terrorism are approximately five times greater for a Muslim versus a non-Muslim perpetrator. In contrast, the odds that an article references mental illness do not significantly differ between White and non-White perpetrators. Results partially confirm public speculation and are robust against numerous alternative explanations. Differences in media framing can influence public (mis)perceptions of violence and threats, and ultimately harm counterterrorism policy Communication Research Vol. 48 2021 Sage p. 1133–1156. Content Analysis General communication journal Terrorism NA Framing of traumatic coverage NA Print Internet news NA NA NA Add
12. Christiane Eichenberg and Lilian Strobl, Tina Jaeger, Alla Kirsha, Richard Laugharne, and Rohit Shankar "Comparison of attitudes to media representation of mental illness between journalists and mental health professionals in Russia with Germanspeaking countries of Switzerland, Germany, and Austria" Background: The media are an important source of information on mental health. They are often implicit in reinforcing negative stereotypes of people with mental health problems. There are no studies in German-speaking countries or Russia on media attitudes to mental health and mental health professionals’ (MHP) attitudes to the media. Aims: This study explored journalists and MHPs attitudes to mental health media reporting in the German speaking countries of Switzerland, Germany, and Austria and in Russia. Methods: A cross-sectional online internet survey, of ten Likert scale statements to ascertain perceptions of stigma, role, and training needs following the STROBE guidance was conducted among journalists and MHPs via their professional organizations. A non-discriminatory exponential snowballing technique leading to non-probability sampling was used. Descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis, and a post hoc Dunn’s multiple comparisons test using Bonferroni adjustment were used to analyze data. Results: A total of 106 German-speaking and 78 Russian journalists, 109 German-speaking, and 82 Russian MHPs fully answered the survey. Journalists felt the media were more balanced about mental health than MHPs, and MHPs were wary of engagement with the media. Small minorities of journalists had engaged with mental health training, similarly few MHPs had engaged with media training, but both groups were interested in doing so in the future. Significant differences between German and Russian speaking respondents were found on a range of issues (e.g. stigmatization, image about psychotherapy, the media/MHPs, and their own role in engaging with the media/MHPs). Russians were more likely to know specialized (media/mental health awareness) training compared to German-speaking MHPs and journalists. Conclusion: There are potential opportunities to engage journalists and MHPs in training about each other’s worlds and reducing stigma toward mental illness through engaging MHPs with the media. International Journal of Social Psychiatry 2022 p. 1-8. Quasi-experimental research General psychology journal NA Adult Framing of traumatic coverage Other NA NA NA Add
13. Gwarjanski, A.R. and Parrott, S. "Schizophrenia in the News: The Role of News Frames in Shaping Online Reader Dialogue about Mental Illness" A quantitative content analysis examined the portrayal of schizophrenia in eight of the most read online news publications in the United States. The analysis documented the prevalence of stigma frames, which communicate stereotypes concerning schizophrenia, and stigma-challenge frames, which contradict stereotypes, in 558 articles related to schizophrenia. The study also examined the relationship between media framing and reader commentary, including the likelihood of readers posting stigmatizing comments, stigma-challenging comments, and comments in which they disclosed personal experience with mental illness. Stigma frames were prevalent in the sample, suggesting the news media continue associating schizophrenia with violent and criminal behavior. Stigma frames stood greater chance of being accompanied by stigmatizing comments from readers when compared to stigma-challenging frames. Conversely, stigma-challenging frames stood greater chance of being accompanied by stigma-challenging comments from readers. Readers were more likely to disclose personal experience with mental illness when they encountered a stigma-challenging frame. Recommendations are made for journalists and health communicators. Health Communication Vol. 33 2018 p. 954-961. Content Analysis General communication journal Illness/injuries (not accident related) NA Effects of coverage Framing of traumatic coverage Other Internet news Tips for covering trauma generally NA NA Add
14. Gervan J Arneaud and Anindya Kar, Sunrit Majumder, Andrew Molodynski, Kate Lovett, and Satyabrata Kar "Mental health disorders in English newspapers of India: A retrospective study" Background: In recent years there has been significant coverage of mental health in Indian newspapers; the media can play a significant role in perpetuating as well as reducing stigma towards people with mental illness. This paper analyses the content, context and type of newspaper coverage of various mental health disorders in English language newspapers in India between 2016 and 2021. Methods: A detailed analysis was performed on a sample of articles about mental illness in a range of English language Indian newspapers. Results: Depression was the most prevalent topic amongst the articles followed by anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Our study describes a wide range of use of mental health disorders in various newspapers. All diagnoses were generally described in a criminal context like homicide, sexual assault and other crimes. Overtime newspaper coverage of mental illness has become less stigmatising. Further exploration of non-English medium newspapers is required to fully understand the extent of the role of print media in perpetuating unhelpful stereotypes of people with mental illness in India. International Journal of Social Psychiatry Vol. 69 2023 Sage Journals p. 642-652. Content Analysis General psychology journal NA NA Type of specific news content Depression Print NA NA NA Add
15. Li, Yan and Rosanna Hildersley, Grace W. K. Ho, Laura Potts, and Claire Henderson "Relationships between types of UK national newspapers, illness classifcation, and stigmatizing coverage of mental disorders" Background: Media coverage on mental health problems has been found to vary by newspaper type, and stigma disproportionately affects people with mental illness by diagnosis. Objective: This study investigated the relationships between types of UK national newspaper (tabloid vs. broadsheet), illness classification (SMI–severe mental illnesses vs. CMD–common mental disorders), and stigmatizing coverage of mental disorders, and whether these relationships changed over the course of the Time to Change anti-stigma programmes in England and Wales. Methods: Secondary analysis of data from a study of UK newspaper coverage of mental illness was performed. Relevant articles from nine UK national newspapers in 2008–11, 2013, 2016 and 2019 were retrieved. A structured coding framework was used for content analysis. The odds an article was stigmatizing in a tabloid compared to a broadsheet, and about SMI compared to CMD, were calculated. Coverage of CMD and SMI by newspaper type was compared using the content elements categorized as stigmatizing or anti-stigmatizing. Results: 2719 articles were included for analysis. Articles in tabloids had 1.32 times higher odds of being stigmatizing than articles in broadsheet newspapers (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.12–1.55). Odds of stigmatizing coverage was 1.72 times higher for articles on SMI than CMD (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.39–2.13). Different patterns in reporting were observed when results were stratified by years for all analyses. A few significant associations were observed for the portrays of stigmatizing elements between tabloid and broadsheet newspapers regarding SMI or CMD. Conclusions: Tailored interventions are needed for editors and journalists of different newspaper types, to include specific strategies for different diagnoses. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology Vol. 56 2021 Springer p. 1527–1535. Content Analysis General psychology journal Non-specific/general NA Type of specific news content Other Print NA NA NA Add
16. Suhas Chandran and Supriya Mathur & Kishor Manohar Rao "Media and the role of digital psychiatry in mental health" The mass media is largely regarded as an integral cogwheel in health service delivery, with a decisive influence on public attitudes. Numerous studies identify connections between media use and negative outcomes such as increased depression, suicide, anxiety, substance use, aggressive behaviour, obesity and eating disorders. Digital tools in psychiatry may promote change and improve health service delivery, augment clinical relationships and influence the dynamic relationship between mass media depictions of mental illness and the public
    s understanding. Unlike most journalists, who must rely on second-hand accounts, mental health professionals can weigh in directly with their advice, opinions, and expertise on social media, based on direct accounts from patients. Digital Psychiatry Vol. 2 2019 Taylor & Francis p. 34-44. Meta-Analysis General psychology journal Other NA Effects of coverage Depression NA NA NA Add
17. Pirkis, Jane and Dare, Andrew Blood, R. Warwick Rankin, Bree Williamson, Michelle Burgess, Philip Jolley, Damien "Changes in Media Reporting of Suicide in Australia Between 2000/01 and 2006/07" Aims. To evaluate changes in Australian news media reporting of suicide between 2000/01 and 2006/07 against recommendations in the resource Reporting Suicide and Mental Illness. Methods. Newspaper, television, and radio items on suicide were retrieved over two 12-month periods pre- and post-introduction of Reporting Suicide and Mental Illness. Identifying and descriptive information were extracted for each item. Quality ratings were made for a stratified random sample of items, using criteria from the precursor to Reporting Suicide and Mental Illness. Results and Conclusions. There was almost a two-fold increase in reporting of suicide during the study period, with 4,813 and 8,363 items retrieved in 2000/01 and 2006/07, respectively. The nature of media reporting showed some variability, with an increased emphasis on items about individuals' experiences and a reduced emphasis on policy and program initiatives. Most strikingly, there was significant improvement on almost all individual dimensions of quality and overall quality. These findings are positive, although there are still clearly some opportunities for improving the way in which the media report and portray suicide. In order to improve standards, continued support should be provided for the dissemination and evaluation of Reporting Suicide and Mental Illness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved) (from the journal abstract) Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Vol. 42 1991 12 p. 233-246. Content Analysis Trauma specific journal suicide NA Amount of traumatic coverage Framing of traumatic coverage Other Add
18. Whitley, Robert and Victoria Carmichael "Veterans in the media: Assessing Canadian newspaper coverage of the Lionel Desmond murder-suicide " Introduction: Evidence suggests the media plays an important role in shaping public beliefs and attitudes toward societal issues including mental illness, suicide, and Veterans’ issues. Th ere is a lack of research examining media portrayals of these issues in Canada. Th e present study aims to assess the tone and content of media coverage of the Lionel Desmond murder-suicide by: 1) assessing adherence to reporting recommendations for suicide and mental illness in Canadian newspaper articles and 2) documenting and analyzing common themes and narratives contained in these articles. Methods: All articles mentioning the term “Lionel Desmond” were systematically retrieved from over 40 Canadian newspapers throughout 2017 and coded for the presence or absence of key content characteristics using quantitative and qualitative methods. Results: Analysis revealed over half of the articles (65.2%) described the suicide method used by Desmond and almost all (98.5%) failed to provide help-seeking information for readers. Moreover, 89% of articles did not include quotes by mental health experts and 64% did not feature any Veteran voices in their coverage. The qualitative analysis revealed four commonly occurring themes: 1) negative impact of going to war, 2) challenges of transition from military to civilian life, 3) calls to action, and 4) commemorating the life of Desmond and family. Discussion: Taken together, the results indicate room for improvement in the reporting of Veteran mental health and suicide, suggesting a need for more educational resources and outreach to help Canadian journalists responsibly report these issues. Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health Vol. 8 2022 . Content Analysis Other journal Mass violence suicide NA Criticisms of coverage PTSD Print Tips for covering trauma generally NA NA Add
19. Kjersti Thorbjørnsrud and Kjersti Blehr Lånkan "‘Someone should have looked after us’: the boundary work of mental health disclosure on TV" This article investigates the boundary work of young people who disclose personal experiences of mental health illness and trauma in a reality TV series. The programme in focus features group therapy sessions led by a professional psychologist, supplemented by personal video diaries. Combining disclosure theory with media sociological perspectives, the article analyses how boundaries are drawn, negotiated or trespassed in the production process. Data is based on in-depth interviews with participants, supplemented with background interviews with the production team and therapist. A main finding is that participants’ experiences in retrospect vary greatly: from accounts of meaningful self-disclosure to regret, increased strain and flare up of illness. Participants with negative experiences highlighted a lack of control over their stories, alienating representations of themselves and guilt about revealing information about third parties. The article concludes that interventional ‘do-good TV’, which builds authority and rhetorical ethos by offering professional therapy to participants, calls for careful consideration of the often-opaque relations of power and instrumental interests involved in this production setting. Media, Culture & Society Vol. 44 2022 p. 935-950. Quasi-experimental research Other journal Other Adult Other Posttraumatic stress symptoms (subthreshold) Television NA NA NA Add
20. Natasha Delahunt-Smoleniec and Jennifer Smith-Merry "A Qualitative Analysis of the Portrayal of Young People and Psychosis in Australian News Reports" News media plays an influential role in shaping society’s understanding of mental illness and can promote perspectives ranging from those that promote help-seeking behaviour to sstigmatized associations with attributes such as danger and violence. Stigma has been found to have significant negative impacts on people with psychosis. No existing studies have explored how young people with psychosis are represented in newspapers. Targeting this gap, this study analysed news articles relating to youth psychosis to determine the types of discourses used. We searched the ProQuest Australia and New Zealand Newsstream database (2011-2016) for Australian newspaper articles related to young people and psychosis. Qualitative analysis was used to identify content and these were arranged into key themes. The recurring themes evident in the 27 articles linked youth psychosis to illicit drug use, violence and professional infighting about treatment options, and thus promoted significantly stigmatised perspectives of youth psychosis. Acknowledgement of these stigmatized discourses is important for encouraging responsible media reporting and for understanding the social messages impacting on treatment and help-seeking by young people. We discuss the conflicted role of journalists in presenting information about mental illness and recommend development of a more solutions focused approach to reporting in this area. JOURNALISM PRACTICE Vol. 14 2020 Routledge p. 847-862. Content Analysis Journalism specific journal NA NA Framing of traumatic coverage Other Print NA NA NA Add