Podcasts, Mental Health, and Stigma: Exploring Motivations, Behaviors, and Attitudes Among Listeners

Podcasts, Mental Health, and Stigma: Exploring Motivations, Behaviors, and Attitudes Among Listeners

Podcasts are increasingly utilized in mental health contexts, such as communicating advice around improving wellbeing, guided meditations, psychoeducation, and translating research findings. This study aimed to explore demographics, motivations, behaviors, and attitudes of podcast listeners regardin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Communication studies Vol. 74; no. 3; pp. 200 - 216
Main Authors: Carrotte, Elise R., Blanchard, Michelle, Groot, Christopher, Hopgood, Fincina, Phillips, Lisa
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: West Lafayette Routledge 04-05-2023
Central States Speech Association
Subjects:
Attitudes
Demography
Digital broadcasting
health communication
internalized stigma
Listening
Mental disorders
Mental health
mental health literacy
mental illness stigma
Online Surveys
Podcast
Podcasts
Stigma
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Summary:Podcasts are increasingly utilized in mental health contexts, such as communicating advice around improving wellbeing, guided meditations, psychoeducation, and translating research findings. This study aimed to explore demographics, motivations, behaviors, and attitudes of podcast listeners regarding podcasts dealing with content and themes related to mental health. Adult Australian podcast listeners (N = 629) completed a cross-sectional online survey including the Acquisition Questionnaire (AQ-9), the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (MAKS) and the Internalised Stigma of Mental Illness scale (ISMI-9). Approximately one third had listened to a mental health-themed podcast in the last 12 months. Logistic regression models showed people who listened to a mental health-themed podcast held fewer stigmatizing attitudes toward people experiencing mental health issues on the AQ-9 (OR 1.0, 95% CI 0.9-1.0, p < .001), and had higher levels of mental health knowledge on the MAKS (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.2, p < .01). However, there was no significant relationship with internalized stigma on the ISMI-9 (OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.9-2.3, p = .2). Future research is needed to determine if such podcasts indeed impact listeners' attitudes and behaviors, and, if they do, how podcasts can be used for effective communication around mental health content.
ISSN:1051-0974
1745-1035
DOI:10.1080/10510974.2023.2196433