Podcasts and Mental Health

Background

This research aims to understand the behaviours, attitudes and preferences of podcast listeners regarding different types of podcasts, including podcasts on the topic of mental health. It also aims to understand the relationship between listening to podcasts and different aspects of mental health.

Research Questions / Hypotheses

1. What are the demographics of people who choose to listen to podcasts on the topic of mental health ('mental health podcasts', compared to general podcast listeners?

2. What are the behaviours, attitudes and preferences of podcast listeners regarding mental health podcasts? Do these differ based on occupation or lived experience of mental health issues?

3. Do people who listen to mental health podcasts experience different levels of stigma, internalised stigma and mental health literacy compared to more general podcast listeners?

Participants

There were 360 REP signups. 288 completed the survey. 250 REP students were included in the final dataset after accounting for speeders and failing attention check measures. Please note that there seemed to be some kind of error where I (Elise) was being prompted to credit students manually who may not have actually completed the survey. Hence, the number of signups do not match the number of completed responses. After some back and forth I discovered an error in the redirect code, meaning people were credited automatically, but I am not sure if the error persisted after this was fixed.

Methods

15-30 minute online survey covering podcast listening habits and preferences, degree of stigma and internalised stigma, and mental health literacy.

Results

Data analysis in process. It is hypothesised that:

  • People with lived experience of mental health issues will be most willing to listen to a new mental health podcast, or a podcast on mental health stigma, compared to people from other target groups
  • Healthcare professionals will have a stronger preference for shorter episodes and fewer episodes compared to the other target groups
  • People who listen to mental health podcasts will have lower levels of internalised stigma and general stigmatising attitudes, and higher mental health literacy, compared to people who do not listen to mental health podcasts (controlling for socially desirable responding pattern).

Implications

The findings will feed into the next phase of my (Elise's) PhD, around designing a podcast-based intervention. I am also hoping to public these findings in a journal.