Adolescents with suicidal thoughts looking for help on the internet: A concept analysis
The concept of seeking help is largely used in the healthcare system and seems relatively well-understood by healthcare professionals, even though no consensus on this concept has yet been reached. More specifically, the concept of adolescents with suicidal thoughts seeking help via the internet has yet to be explored. To clarify this concept and eventually develop tools for future research in nursing, a concept analysis using the Walker and Avant method was conducted. Three main help-seeking attributes were identified as a result of the analysis: problem-oriented, intentional action, and use of an external mean. The antecedents that precede the concept are: problem recognition and perception influenced by beliefs, desired relief, the selection of a source of help, and the decision to act. The consequences that follow help-seeking are either relief, maintenance, or exacerbation of the problem. Many empirical referents are identified but none seem to evaluate or conceptually define the attributes of the concept. Finally, a deeper meaning of the concept of adolescents seeking help online is reached by this concept analysis and further research and practice recommendations are given.
Keywords
- help-seeking
- nursing
- adolescents
- Internet
- concept analysis