[Getting through to adolescents "online". The use of web-based programs for stress-prevention in youth]

Adolescents can be regarded as a difficult target group for health promotion efforts. Therefore, possibilities and limitations in the use of the internet for stress prevention in adolescents are explored in two empirical studies. The first study with 1988 adolescents in grades seven to nine examines to what extent the internet is used by adolescents and the importance of the internet as a contact point for the solution of problems with school, parents etc. In the second study with 155 adolescents in grades seven and eight, an E-support accompanying a stress prevention program was offered. The main research question of this study was related to the use of the internet-based E-support. The results show that interest in using internetservices in the attempt to solve personal problems is not high and that the actual utilisation within the context of the stress prevention program is also not optimal. There are nevertheless constellations which increase the probability of E-support usage (for example in the case of increased stress experiences or increased stress symptomatologies). The consequences which can be drawn from the studies are evaluated and discussed.