'Remember, You Are Not Alone': A Qualitative Internet‐Mediated Study of Anxiety Among Adolescents on Reddit.

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Title: 'Remember, You Are Not Alone': A Qualitative Internet‐Mediated Study of Anxiety Among Adolescents on Reddit.
Authors: Kaluzeviciute, Greta (AUTHOR), Moreton, Joshua P. I. (AUTHOR), Jackson, Jessica E. (AUTHOR)
Source: International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. Dec2025, Vol. 34 Issue 6, p1-9. 9p.
Subjects: Social media, Empathy, Fear, Health services accessibility, Emotion regulation, Attitudes toward illness, Qualitative research, Mental health services, Suicidal ideation, Anxiety in adolescence, Help-seeking behavior, Thematic analysis, Motivation (Psychology), Social support, Social stigma, Self-perception
Abstract: Recent evidence indicates that social anxiety disorders are increasing alongside a growing sense of disconnection from communities. However, anxiety disorders are often overlooked or perceived as 'less serious' mental health issues. Consequently, young people may avoid formal psychological interventions or discussions with family members for fear of being misunderstood, increasingly turning instead to online spaces for support. This study aimed to explore how adolescents (aged 12–18) use Reddit to share their experiences of anxiety. A total of 105 posts, made between January 2021 and January 2022, were thematically analysed. Three themes were identified: Perceived barriers in seeking mental health support; Reddit as a last resort: motivators leading to anonymous posts; and 'Remember you are not alone': empathy and support through distance. The findings highlight adolescents' fear of stigma and rejection, as well as limited access to appropriate mental health services. For many, online help‐seeking provided opportunities to share distress, seek advice, and connect with empathetic peers. Understanding social media's role in adolescents' emotional regulation, identity, and peer support can inform empathetic, tailored care. Encouraging open dialogue about online experiences supports safe coping and strengthens therapeutic relationships. Professionals should help adolescents build digital literacy and consider the potential therapeutic value of weak online ties, while research on practicalities, safeguarding, and outcomes is needed before implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of International Journal of Mental Health Nursing is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: 'Remember, You Are Not Alone': A Qualitative Internet‐Mediated Study of Anxiety Among Adolescents on Reddit.
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– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Recent evidence indicates that social anxiety disorders are increasing alongside a growing sense of disconnection from communities. However, anxiety disorders are often overlooked or perceived as 'less serious' mental health issues. Consequently, young people may avoid formal psychological interventions or discussions with family members for fear of being misunderstood, increasingly turning instead to online spaces for support. This study aimed to explore how adolescents (aged 12–18) use Reddit to share their experiences of anxiety. A total of 105 posts, made between January 2021 and January 2022, were thematically analysed. Three themes were identified: Perceived barriers in seeking mental health support; Reddit as a last resort: motivators leading to anonymous posts; and 'Remember you are not alone': empathy and support through distance. The findings highlight adolescents' fear of stigma and rejection, as well as limited access to appropriate mental health services. For many, online help‐seeking provided opportunities to share distress, seek advice, and connect with empathetic peers. Understanding social media's role in adolescents' emotional regulation, identity, and peer support can inform empathetic, tailored care. Encouraging open dialogue about online experiences supports safe coping and strengthens therapeutic relationships. Professionals should help adolescents build digital literacy and consider the potential therapeutic value of weak online ties, while research on practicalities, safeguarding, and outcomes is needed before implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of International Journal of Mental Health Nursing is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=190550269
RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1111/inm.70183
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 9
        StartPage: 1
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Social media
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Empathy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Fear
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Health services accessibility
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Emotion regulation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Attitudes toward illness
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Qualitative research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mental health services
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Suicidal ideation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Anxiety in adolescence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Help-seeking behavior
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Thematic analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Motivation (Psychology)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social support
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social stigma
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Self-perception
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: 'Remember, You Are Not Alone': A Qualitative Internet‐Mediated Study of Anxiety Among Adolescents on Reddit.
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            NameFull: Kaluzeviciute, Greta
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            NameFull: Moreton, Joshua P. I.
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            NameFull: Jackson, Jessica E.
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            – D: 01
              M: 12
              Text: Dec2025
              Type: published
              Y: 2025
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