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Promoting Youth Mental Wellbeing: A Photovoice Project with Adolescents and Young Adults in the Hospital Context

Author

Listed:
  • Federica Graziano

    (Department of Psychology, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy)

  • Federica Toppino

    (Eating Disorders Center, Department of Neuroscience “Rita Levi Montalcini”, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy)

  • Lisa Vennettillo

    (Eating Disorders Center, Department of Neuroscience “Rita Levi Montalcini”, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy)

  • Giovanni Abbate Daga

    (Eating Disorders Center, Department of Neuroscience “Rita Levi Montalcini”, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy)

  • Deborah Concas

    (Pediatric Onco-Hematology Division, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy)

  • Giulia Mazzone

    (Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy)

  • Paola Quarello

    (Pediatric Onco-Hematology Division, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy)

  • Guido Teghille

    (Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy)

  • Giulia Zucchetti

    (Pediatric Onco-Hematology Division, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy)

  • Chiara Davico

    (Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy)

Abstract

Given the importance of youth mental health for public policy, it is crucial to involve young people directly in participatory research to investigate their views and translate their demands into concrete actions. The aim of the study was to define the concept of mental wellbeing as perceived by a group of adolescent and young adult patients in two large hospitals in northwestern Italy and to find out, together with them, what institutions can do to promote youth wellbeing. Thirty-nine participants (13–25 years old, 90% female), divided into four groups, took part in a Photovoice workshop. Individual interviews were conducted with 21 participants and the transcripts were thematically analyzed. The photos were categorized into five themes: nature, traveling, passions and leisure, relationships, and animals. The definition of mental wellbeing can be traced back to eight themes: sharing experiences and emotions with others, calm and tranquility, personal fulfilment, sense of belonging, pleasant physical sensations, freedom and discovery, involvement and commitment, and happiness. The key recommendations for promoting mental wellbeing were providing information about mental health, tackling the stigma of mental illness, and providing psychological support in school and health services. The implications of these findings for policy makers involved in planning health services for young people are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Federica Graziano & Federica Toppino & Lisa Vennettillo & Giovanni Abbate Daga & Deborah Concas & Giulia Mazzone & Paola Quarello & Guido Teghille & Giulia Zucchetti & Chiara Davico, 2025. "Promoting Youth Mental Wellbeing: A Photovoice Project with Adolescents and Young Adults in the Hospital Context," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(4), pages 1-22, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:4:p:648-:d:1638536
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rebecca Purewal & Robert Christley & Katarzyna Kordas & Carol Joinson & Kerstin Meints & Nancy Gee & Carri Westgarth, 2017. "Companion Animals and Child/Adolescent Development: A Systematic Review of the Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-25, February.
    2. Paul Lindhout & Truus Teunissen & Genserik Reniers, 2021. "What about Using Photovoice for Health and Safety?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-20, November.
    3. Veronika Huta & Alan Waterman, 2014. "Eudaimonia and Its Distinction from Hedonia: Developing a Classification and Terminology for Understanding Conceptual and Operational Definitions," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 15(6), pages 1425-1456, December.
    4. Yolanda Mayman & Talitha Crowley & Brian van Wyk, 2024. "Illustrations of Coping and Mental Well-Being of Adolescents Living with HIV in Cape Town, South Africa During COVID: A Photovoice Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(11), pages 1-20, November.
    5. Jennifer Keller & Jean Kayira & Louise Chawla & Jason L. Rhoades, 2023. "Forest Bathing Increases Adolescents’ Mental Well-Being: A Mixed-Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(1), pages 1-24, December.
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