Exploring the Role of YouTube in Disseminating Psychoeducation

Abstract

Objective: Social media can bridge the gap between health care and ethnic minorities over cultural barriers. This study explores the role of YouTube in delivering schizophrenia education to individuals in the USA who are also fluent in Chinese. Methods: Three psychoeducational YouTube videos related to schizophrenia were uploaded. Data were collected for a 12-month period, and results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The videos recorded 4935 views with a total viewing time of 35,614 min. The first-episode psychosis video had the most number of views and shares, and the longest total watch time and average view duration. The targeted age group (< 34 years old) comprised about half of the total views and had a 14.4% longer average view duration compared to the overall average. Conclusion: YouTube is a useful tool that delivers schizophrenia education to Chinese-speaking individuals in the USA. It may also help alleviate the negative stigma regarding schizophrenia and other mental health issues.