Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2025

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
Published on: May 31, 2021
Adolescents' voices on self-engagement in mental health treatment: a scoping review
Nina Therese Øversveen Svamo1,2, Sigrid Helene Kjørven Haug3,4, Valerie DeMarinis3,5
1Research Center for Existential Health, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, Norway. Nina.Therese.Oversveen.Svamo@sykehuset-innlandet.no.
Introduction:
According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, adolescents' involvement in their healthcare is a fundamental right, and self-engagement in mental health treatment is vital for realizing their potential within person-centered care (PCC). Research exists that highlights barriers to involving adolescents in their care decisions. However, research on adolescents' own voices about self-engagement in mental health treatment has been scarce. This scoping review aimed to examine and summarize current knowledge on adolescents' voices regarding self-engagement in mental health treatment.
Method:
The review followed the scoping methodology of Arksey and O'Malley from 2005, updated by Levac and colleagues in 2010, involving five stages: (1) identifying the research question, (2) identifying relevant studies, (3) study selection, (4) charting the data, and (5) collating, summarizing and reporting the results.
Results:
Nineteen studies were included. The following themes on adolescents` voices regarding self-engagement in mental health treatment were identified: (1) the therapeutic alliance, (2) the need for active engagement in treatment, (3) different experiences due to time of data collection, (4) treatment context and healthcare system, and (5) adolescent-caregiver interaction.
Conclusion:
Adolescents' understanding of self-engagement was multilevel and comprehensive, including individual, contextual and relational factors. A strong therapeutic alliance with healthcare providers, and a need to be actively engaged in treatment were highlighted. To succeed in strengthening PCC in mental healthcare for adolescents, health professionals must take this complex understanding into consideration, as treatment without adolescents` self-engagement may worsen their clinical outcomes. Future research should explore specific PCC interventions and incorporate diverse methodologies in various clinical contexts. Additionally, insights from healthcare providers and caregivers on self-engagement in mental health treatment will complement these findings.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
Psychodynamic Therapy
Cognitive Development During Adolescence
Community Based Intervention
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...

