Understanding Participation in Integrated Youth Mental Health Service Research: Lessons Learned From a Feasibility...

Research with integrated youth mental health services (IYMHS) has been criticised for low quality, with difficulties in recruiting and retaining participants in studies which can introduce bias. This feasibility study aimed to investigate the "real-world research" barriers and facilitators to recruitment and retention arising in a longitudinal study with Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health in Ireland, and to provide recommendations for conducting IYMHS research in future.

A qualitative study was conducted to investigate recruitment and retention difficulties. Participants were young people attending Jigsaw (n = 14) and members of clinical staff (n = 29), who provided feedback on facilitators and barriers to recruiting and retaining participants in a wider youth mental health intervention study. Data were collected via online surveys. Content analysis was conducted on the findings.

Facilitators included the prosocial motivation of young people to support others through research, providing incentives for participants, clear communication and information sharing, and the supportive role of parents/guardians. Identified barriers included the timing of recruitment, communication difficulties, gatekeeping, and reluctance to participate in research. Suggestions provided to address barriers in future were integrating research teams into services, addressing communication difficulties, and timing the recruitment of youth participants appropriately.

Where possible, IYMHS should conduct research in person in services to improve communication and reduce gatekeeping. In addition, services should consider remunerating participating young people in research and involve parents/guardians when designing research in this context.